There are rules in racing, plain and simple. If you break the rules, it's disrespectful. You're basically telling people that you're above the "law" and that you don't care. This is very rude in my opinion. Either obey the rules, or go create your own race where headphones are okay.

I am a power walker who has recently gotten into half-marathons. I always wear my iPod, both for training and for the races themselves. For me, the music helps me pace myself. I have actually been able to improve my pace significantly by listening to faster music. Since I walk exactly to the beat of the exercise music, it keeps me consistent and strong throughout the whole race. I understand the concerns about 'tuning out' the world around you, but I think that iPod wearers who do that are truly in the minority. Most people I've seen keep the music low and are cautious and actively aware of their surroundings. We can still chat with other runners/walkers, hear announcements, and even yell to spectators and fans to get them pumped up. I'm not going to qualify for the Olympics...I run/walk half-marathons because I love it. The feeling of crossing the finish line is exhilarating, whether you've got headphones on or not. Everyone does this for their own personal reasons...and as long as you don't put others at risk, you should be able to participate in whatever manner suits you the best.

little-t, I agree with you completely.

"So if someone needs to wear one then follow the rules and be courteous of other runners. Plus the people that say they should have the right to wear one then everyone else has the right to run the way they want and not be bumped or slowed because of you."

There are plenty of inconsiderate runners and walkers...and they aren't all wearing iPods. However, it's tough for the USATF to ban rude people.

I have directed over 30 race events, including our areas largest half marathon, and helped with 3 marathons. I have run 26 marathons from Chicago (huge) to Alaska to Mason City- IA (Tiny). I have wore my iPod (headpohones pre-iPod days) in all the marathons, so I believe I have a decent range of experiences for perspective. Fact - in most marathons 75% of the people cannot here one thing that is going on pre-race. Even though most people can hear my announcements, most don't pay attention. I have had people take wrong turns, follow the wrong route etc. and they were NOT wearing anything in their ears. My biggest beef with race registrants? People who do not read entry forms, web sites and packet information closely. I have never had an issue with music wearing entrants. At the same time I have never had a single incident related to my own wearing of a headset. I figure I have put in over 10,000 miles running incident free, minus one trip over an ice chunk when I was not wearing my iPod.

So for all those who say, "but what if...," and "but you would be more safe..." Well, should we require participants to show up with a record of their EKG's proving they don't have a heart condition? Your chances of dying in the marathon from a heart condition appear to far outweigh any iPod issues. Chicago has had two or three deaths the last 7 years from that alone! None from ipods... How about pee checks for hydration to make sure nobody dehydrates? Check any medical tent at any race, most are from dehydration, not iPods. Maybe we should cancel any race above 72 degrees, that would increase safety for absolute certain! if the USATF was really worried about saftey they would mandate physicals and proof of A+ health, that is the real danger to someone -running outside healthy parameters.

As an RD I discourage headphones to stay in line with the USATF. But I will never be an iPod Nazi and take them. Instead I will continue to listen to the masses of people who continue to propel the sport of running from the unknown world of elite athletes that toil in obscurity (and formerly minimal payouts) to the healthy lifestyle embracing ways that encourage fitness along with fun. What other sport can have weekend warriors sharing the field of battle with elite athletes? NASCAR has the fans to pay the drivers, along with huge sponsorship. Road racers can thank one constituent for increasing purses - the masses of iPod wearing non-elite people who enter and make it worth increased corporate sponsorship. If you believe otherwise you are naive and should try directing an event.

Last thought, this argument is akin to saying we should cure lung cancer with more money for research while everyone continues to smoke away. If the USATF realy cares about the runner's safety, they will require thorough physicals to enter a sanctioned road race. Period.

Trekman

the only experience i can talk from is: I have never been elbowed or tripped by someone not wearing headphones but have by headphoners.

i have one thing race directors should police: starting corals or paced starting. i guess that is to hard to do because every event that says it has it doesnt enforce it.

Trekman let me know what races you direct, maybe i have done one.

Amen to the race corral issue, too! The only races I can recall that strictly enforced it were the Disneyland 1/2 and the Disneyworld full and half - runners had to pass by a volunteer who looked at their race number and would not let them enter the wrong corral. Most other races, it is just a suggestion.

Well said Officer Mike! And Trekman, thank you for an RD perspective, I wholeheartedly agree with the other more pressing issues you raised that cause more chaos in marathon than music. Disney did do a VERY good job at enforcing corrals with a bib inspecting volunteer at each corral entrance.

BTW, the RDs that hasn't figured the safety and liability issues that pertain to him personally, is not your friend. If people aren't aware enough to see then act on issues of their own safety and liability, where in human nature do you dream on that they really are worried about YOUR welfare.

If you weren't so **** blinded by this new thing that has come into your life "the easy access to music" you might see that the logic you apply is often diametrically opposed to how you think and act in other places. Yes yes, I know, some of you have a defective survival gene from the git go and are destine to become roadkill under a bus in New York city anyway, but some of you just might wake up when you discuss this at work and your boss overhears your whacked out logic on the issue and asks "I hope you aren't going use that logic in helping me manage THIS company". Like I've said very often, in the end this isn't a game.