Sponsored runs v wearing ear phones for runnin... - Couch to 5K

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Sponsored runs v wearing ear phones for running music ?

β€’30 Replies

Advice please ! Has anyone ran a sponsored run while wearing ear phones for running music to take them round the route or have they been advised not to wear them?

2015 I ran a 5k for cancer research and had ear phones in and there was no problem.

Anyway next week I am running in the Hereford running festival. There are numerous races and a marathon so loads of people. I want to wear earphones to listen to running music on route,but now I'm not sure, the information advices against it although the organisers have not said no. I don't have the volume too loud,when I'm out running normally .πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

30 Replies
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Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

If the run is on roads you cant wear ear phones and have music, for safety reasons. If it is off road you may well be ok depending on what is stipulated for the race.

in reply to Millsie-J

Thanks jack-w. It's 5k and off road around a racing track at the Hereford leisure centre so hopefully it will be fine.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to

Enjoy!

in reply to Millsie-J

Thank you jacks-w I shall .πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

I would venture they are saying it for liability protection purposes. Just a guess but if they are not banning them altogether that would make the most sense to me going on just the statement.

Wishing you a most wonderful run with or without music :)

in reply to Irish-John

Hey Irish-John thank you so much I thought that too so I'll just have to wait and see on the day! However I shall enjoy the run and thanks for your wishes .πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply to

That Irish-accented cheering will be me ;)

in reply to Irish-John

Well ! no need for ear phones then ,I'll just listen out for your Irish cheers ha! β˜˜β˜˜πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply to

LOL, Problem solved! πŸ˜‚

in reply to Irish-John

And thanks !πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply to

πŸ˜‹

Madge50 profile image
Madge50Graduate

They should be clear in the 'race' info, if they say no, as well as the liability issues mentioned by irish john above, and health and safety, emergencies etc., that's usually under uk athletics rules and applies as Millsie-J says, mostly to road races, and no means no - you risk being disqualified.....and it makes no difference if it's sponsored, charity, club etc.,

If they say they don't advise it, you can wear them 'at your own risk'...I run with music a lot of the time but usually only have one earphone in so that I'm aware of what's going on around me. I will take my music if the rules say 'not advised' but tend to take that earphone out too near marshals and road crossings on trails just in case....

Basically it's up to the organisers, they can apply the UKA rule to any race they choose, not just road races, so read the race info and rules carefully....

Most of all have fun, I like to have a chat to those around me too, makes it more enjoyable.

Good luck with your race!

Mx

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply to Madge50

I can only dream of chatting while running LOL :) Good on you Madge :)

Madge50 profile image
Madge50Graduate in reply to Irish-John

I never said I was fast.....πŸ˜‰.....and it's usually a conversation of rather short sentences with breathing gaps in between πŸ˜‚.........or should that be wheezing? πŸ˜‚

Mx

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply to Madge50

I can barely snarl at irresponsible canine-owners LOL. :)

in reply to Madge50

Thanks Madge for this good advice. The race is on the Hereford leisure centre track, around the outside of the race course. However I shall wait and see on the day and perhaps just wear one ear piece or just for go them all together. And yes it will be nice chatting to other runners. Thanks for you good wishes ! πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

Madge50 profile image
Madge50Graduate in reply to

Thanks Peggy, it should be fine, most runs are quite laid back, it should only really be road runs, that UKA rule became official this year, and some events even though they're off road have applied it, so just be aware if it, it has caught some people out,

Hope you have fun and bring home the bling! πŸ…

Mx

in reply to Madge50

Thanks Madge ! Will bring the bling home hopefully ha! xπŸ˜„πŸ˜„

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

I only ever use one ear phone, plus I have the volume low if its an organised event, even parkrun. Plus i take them out towards the end, i dont know why but its just a habit i have.

Yes I also have volume low when I'm out running at home so that's worth remembering ! ThanksπŸ˜€πŸ˜€

Rignold profile image
Rignold

I always understood it to be so runners can hear any safety announcements or energency services vehicles. I have seen during a half marathon i did once, an ambulance stuck behind a group of (tutu-clad) runners all with earphones in, running together and havng a high old time doing occasional synchronised arm waves and so on. They were totally oblivious and the more the spectator crowds gesticulated and shouted and pinted behnd them, they more they thought it was approval for their antics.

then the ambulance put its siren on about a meter behind them.

That moved them. I would be intrigued to see if any of them was wearing a HRM what sort of spike that produced in the data.

But anyway, my thinking is always: if the event rules say no earphones then I don't wear earphones.

It also invalidates any event insurance should any mishap befall you.

in reply to Rignold

Thanks ! Good advice again . I shall probably for go wearing them!

Looking forward to it though ! Thanks again RignoldπŸ˜€πŸ˜€

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate

It depends on the organisers. More and more are banning earphones but many just 'advise against it'. See what others are doing on the day. I have been able to run all my road races with earphones (they don't block outside noise) but to be honest in a couple of those races I sort of forgot I had my own music as the noise from the course was so loud anyway! For me it is a bit of a security blanket. When I don't have music I don't actually miss it!

in reply to Sandraj39

Hi Sandra ! Thanks. That's exactly the reason for me too a security blanket! I think I'm afraid if there's no music I'll not run so good!

Anyway will see on the day what's what and will just enjoy! πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate in reply to

Well then, if you're allowed to wear them, go for it! Enjoy!πŸƒπŸ½β€β™€οΈπŸ™‚

in reply to Sandraj39

Thanks!πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

Dhiny profile image
Dhiny

I don't wear earphones when I am running in charity runs as such like to be "in the moment" and chat to the other runners but others run with music. Enjoy your run x

in reply to Dhiny

Thank you Dhiny !πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

We've had a chat about this from time to time:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

The IAAF Rulebook 2016-2018 prohibits the use of headphones (Rule 240) where the race is run (partly or completely) on public roads. They have not done this to be grumpy or elitist, or Health-and-Safety gone mad, but to protect runners against traffic collisions, and to ensure that the marshalls are able to communicate with the runners.

So any race here in UK run under the auspices of UK Athletics is going to ban headphones, and you'll face disqualification if you are wearing them.

You are free to run when and where you want, either on your own, in a group or in an organised race. Wear headphones, listen to music or podcasts, or run 'naked' without gadgets, it is completely up to you (music will probably help your training). BUT when you run in an organised event, you'll have to follow the rules of that event. Anything organised by UK Athletics or Run Britain will prohibit headphones.

How do I feel about this new ban? I train wearing headphones, but run in events (including parkrun) without. I enjoy chatting to other runners, marshalls and the whole atmosphere of events, so I'm pretty relaxed about this ban.

in reply to MarkyD

Wow ! That's rather long! All I wanted was some advice! However thanks for this and I shall digest it all Cheers!πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

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