Chris Feb 22, 2009
The worst example I saw was in the 2008 Disney Marathon. A wheelchair racer was forced to use her brakes and scream at a runner to move aside while she rolled downhill around mile 9. The poor wheeler had tears in her eyes as she did everything she could to avoid plowing over the runner, who was oblivious because, of course, she had on headphones. I will wear them occasionally on a training run when I am by myself, but I will never wear them in a group or in a race, and I discourage my runners from using them as well.

Bradley Bunch Dec 06, 2008
I run without music. In cross country and track, we cant listen to those during races so we have to practice without them.

But to each his own... if you want to listen to them, they can sometimes make you forget how long the race is hahaha

Frieda Mar 22, 2008
I have been running and racing for over 30 years and during that time lots of runners have made contact with me during races in the way of elbowing me or stepping on the back of my shoes. In large races, you need to be concentrating on your running and the conditions around you. Recently, at the gym, a woman was standing in front of the weight rack, with her headphones on, and when I tried to get her to let me put the weights back on the rack she couldn't hear me. Finally her boyfriend got her attention and she returned to the reality of the situation. It seems to me that more and more folks want to be zoned out with their headphone distractions than paying attention to what's going on in the real world around them. When I run, I like to look at the sights and hear the sounds of nature.

Jonathan Mar 22, 2008
I was volunteering and giving course directions for the 2008 Pirate Run. I have a very loud voice. In spite of that numerous runners wearing headphones were completely tuned out and did not hear the instructions & ran the wrong way. This was along a road with traffic.

One writer posted that each runner was responsible for their own safty, but in a race you are also endangering others.

Bruce Mar 06, 2008
I ran over a lady in my last race who was not wearing headphones. She didn't know her left from her right. If it is a large race, slower runners and walkers need to stay right. That way headphones are not, there is a clear lane.

I think statistically, the incidence of headphone related accidents is nothing compared to accidents caused by people just in their own world.

Sean Feb 26, 2008
I understand that the insurance carriers that cover events are requiring this restriction. I think they have gone looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Has anyone ever been hurt in a race because someone was wearing headphones? I am not aware of anyone beeing run over by a car in a race because of this, but I could be wrong.

I like to wear headphones when I run, and I would think twice before entering a race that prohibits the use. While I have seen many running events that state they don't allow headphones, I've never seen it enforced. That is until the 2008 Georgia Marathon. All over the registration they have all sorts of warnings about absolutely no headphones and that it will be strictly enforced. I believe I read on one of the waivers that they were going to pull people off the course wearing headphones. We'll see if this is true. I do not plan on testing it myself though.

runner Feb 26, 2008
I would never run in a race that DIDN'T allow me to wear headphones. Music inspires me and helps me to keep my pace up. With that being said, I wouldn't let me daughter run with them because she's not very careful when she's racing but for grown-ups, we should all take responsibility for our own safety.

dreamsfloatjoe Jan 03, 2008
I feel each individual runner is responsible for his/her own safety. Wear headphones during running events at your own risk. My thoughts. YMMV.

Enjoy your journey,
DreamsFloat Joe

jcmcb Dec 28, 2007
Any organization putting on a race must discourage the use of headphones, or face the possible claim of negligence if a headphone user is injured. But, there is no way if can actually be enforced.

Norm Nov 24, 2007
I know a lot of runners wear headphones during running events. However some running organizations are discouraging the practice for safety considerations; i.e. being able to hear traffic coming up from behind, etc. Frieda and I don't use listening devices for this reason. How do other members feel about this?

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