I am fairly new to running, I always run with music and guided chat, it's the only thing that gets me through. I've just found that my first HM I have entered does not allow headphones. This was not on the main page of the entry or in the FAQ's, just in very small print in T's and C's (and I only checked those a friend tipped me off on the point).
Why do they do this? My 5 and 10 k races I've run have had no such restrictions.
TIA for info
This occasionally happens Joster. Invariably, it's a requirement from whomsoever is providing the Insurance Coverage for the event.
Personally, I would be miserable running that distance without my "Ear candy" 
- but I bet, again buried in the small print, there is a warning that you won't be covered should anything happen to you and you are found to have been wearing (or could get tricky if you even have them in your possession at the time ) earbuds.
They reserve right to disqualify you, however bone conducting headphones are allowed (never heard of those before). I am slightly annoyed that this info is not given a higher profile than point 7.1.3 of 15.3 items in several pages of small print as it's quite key to a lot of runners! I checked FAQ's before entry for general race info, I'd have expected it to be there.
Can't imagine running without Pacesetter..... occasionally my music fails and I am all over the place. A friend even commented on how steadily I run, and it's all down to my music. Bit miserable now at the prospect of training to run without music!
I like running without, but from what I hear bone conduction headphones are worth the investment. M'colleague Sqkr is a fan, and is very knowledgeable.
Thank you - I have my wireless buds, which I will still use most of the time, but may invest in a reasonably priced pair of bone conductors (or put them on my Christmas list...) as I really can't imagine running without music. And if I carry on with the running, other events may stipulate this too. Just came as such a shock to see this as a condition of participation!
I think the majority of events say they would prefer runners not to use headphones, and outright bans are becoming more and more common. Bone conduction are allowed because with them you can hear properly what is going on around you, which is much safer and more pleasant for everyone 😊😊😊
I totally understand the safety aspect with thousands of runners, I am just glad there is another option. Initial panic over. I am a newbie, it's only the beat of the songs and knowing I have some great tracks worth listening to that keep me putting one foot in front of the other!
Definitely worth getting some bone conduction then!
As a suggestion for the future though, maybe you could start trying some short runs without headphones to work on getting into running that way? You never know what's going to go wrong during a half marathon 😊😊😊
I kid you not - one HM I was in, a woman was running, pushing a small stroller, with a Boom Box playing at quote a loud volume.
She was smiling ear to ear - nobody around her was though
Ha ha! No strollers in the Cambridge one, I checked!
👍🏿👍👍👍🏿👍🏼
I entered a first trail 11k race in September that had no headphones and I thought ‘how will I get through’.
Turned out is was ok as a race is so different with different people. Now if I’m trying to race or do a PR I find I perform better without music as I can focus on my cadence better.
Well, same thing happened to me on my first HM in September - and was horrified!😱 However, it transpired I can run happily without music! I didn’t have any problem during the race, with so many other people around I found I did not need the distraction on the run and I enjoyed chatting to other runners and hearing the kind words of encouragement from supporters. Having said that, I was annoyed to see that the rules were easily flaunted, and loads of runners were wearing headphones! One woman I got stuck behind just had her music blasting out from her phone! Her music was rubbish, which gave me extra incentive to overtake her and get as much distance as I could from her so I wouldn’t have to listen to her tunes all the way round! 😱
I now have bone conducting headphones, which I might use at my next race. But, I did discover I am not reliant on music in race situations, so not so bothered. 😁
Not sure which half you're doing, but if it involves running along or crossing any road with traffic, in ear headphones are never allowed. I have aftershokz trekz air which are bone conducting. I bought them for cycling where I needed to be able to hear the traffic. However, now I have them I never use my wireless earbuds for running - the trekz air are my 'go to' headphones. They stay put and I completely forget I'm wearing them.
Yes I always check the headphone requirement in a race ahead of time. On trail races it is a genuine safety issue, and on some road races it is often discouraged for similar reasons. The bone conducting headphones are what a few friends use these days, which allow you to still hear what is happening around you. I still have my old buds which were permitted on my last marathon - I was thankful for that I do admit. For my first HM they were not allowed, so I tried training longer runs without music just to get used to it, and though strange at first, eventually they were not missed. With the people cheering and other runners, I barely noticed it during the race day. One less thing to worry about also
When I ran the Severn Bridge 10k in August there were “secret agents” planted in amongst the runners making sure no one was using any type of headphones, not even bone conductor ones. Anyone caught would be disqualified immediately. It was purely for safety reasons and it was fairly high up in the T&C’s of the race.
One person had her phone playing tinnie music on loudspeaker - it sounded horrendous and I’m not sure what purpose it served, apart from cheesing off other runners. 🙄
I usually wear headphones running, but tbh I’m ok without during a race. The atmosphere makes up for it. 🏃♀️🏃♀️
I find it amazing that people think they can subject everyone else to their music out loud!! Several mentions of that in this thread, staggering.
As everyone else has said, it's not uncommon unfortunately. It's a safety requirement for any road race that's only partially closed that you stay aware in the vicinity of moving traffic—maybe you've not encountered it before because shorter distances are often run in fully enclosed parks, or small enough to stop traffic completely. Off road trails often don't allow anything that impedes your ability to hear the instruction of race marshalls though, no matter the distance! Bone conduction are the only headphone type that are allowed under those circumstances. Admittedly I've seen people happily flouting the rule, during Edinburgh Half particularly, but I wouldn't recommend it—you never know when they might action their threats to stop you running!
Definitely an upvote from me on the Trekz. I love them. But if it's a bigger event you've entered you'll be surprised at how little you actually notice your own music! There's often a good deal of entertainment along the way 😄
I’m having the same issue with a local 10 miler I want to do. No headphones as the roads aren’t closed. It’s annoying that they don’t allow aftershokz bone conductor as they are uk athletics approved and you can hear everything with them. I love mine. It’s putting me off entering. I hate running on my own with no music. My friend said carry my phone and play music from there but I hate carrying my phone - I usually use my Apple Watch for music.
I’ve always run with music or the podcasts, (C25K) so I really struggle without, although I must say a lot of the time it’s just background noise, but there are times on long runs that it does help my focus. I have aftershokz, and I must say they are brilliant.
I’ve done one run without, it was a closed road 14k - in fact it was on a new bypass road that is yet to open to traffic......the rules said no headphones of any kind, I did query it, but no way......there was no entertainment, nothing, although all the entrance fees went to charity it was dire! I’m so glad it was a one off, ‘cos I’d never do it again!
Mx
Hi, Joster, as roseabi suggests, you could try running without? It may be a nice change to listen to nature and take in your surroundings? When I started running I always had music, and I still listen to podcasts or audiobooks on long runs to pass the hours. For races though, I have never worn them, and not missed them at all - except on my marathon when they would have been nice in the last hour. It is personal choice of course (where some races allow on fully closed roads) but I like to ‘be in the moment’ and take in the race atmosphere. You may like it too. Good luck with your training whatever you decide 👍
Yes, I am going to try a run without. My music went wrong once after I had started a run and I couldn't really stop to sort it, so I was all out of kilter for the rest of the run. I suspect if I start KNOWING I have no music, it will probably be smoother. I've just not (deliberately) done it before!
I’m hoping to run the Big Half on 1st March. Anyone know if this has an earphone ban? I have never run without music so the thought is somewhat horrifying...
Check their website
Tried that. Doesn’t seem to be mentioned.
Probably OK then! They will send out more info nearer the time, so keep an eye out for any mentions of headphones 😊😊😊
Stephen - I found it buried in the terms and conditions (which themselves were at the very bottom of a very long web page!) for Cambridge Half. I figured something as fundamental as that would have been in FAQs or at least in the confirmation of entry email but no, only a very minor point in a loooooooooong T's and C's, so look in there if you haven't already.
It's a uka rule tbh
Bone conduction are now allowed but then it's down to insurance to allow it too
It's not too bad on a race without but I never train without odd isnt it
I prefer to have the choice and having been caught out in the past, this is something I check before entering a race.
That said, I often get fed up of music in my ears during a longer run like a HM and take them off in the latter stages. I did have a panic once when I couldn't find my headphones just before a 10 mile training run. It was early in the morning, and I didn't want to ake my family so I went out 'naked' as it were. I had a great run.
Just embrace it. Its your first HM so you're on high alert and any slight change to the plans is going to throw you into a panic. But as an organised event, you will get to enjoy the supporters more without a soundtrack.
Thank you - yes, having done big events at 5 and 10 k, I can get that the atmosphere and the people running and on the route will be something special to spur you on and enjoy. It's more about the pacing for me, I think, I run to a very particular sound track at a steady pace straight through all the tunes and the rhythm of running at a pace I know can sustain (and being a relative newbie!) is part of my security blanket I suppose. I have time to train without, I'll start with a couple of 5ks with no music at all and see how I get on. It can be done, just slightly daunting!
hi. not going to repeat what has already been said. Sounds like a great goal!
I too have now discovered that no headphones is ok, in fact I actually like it now. Plus for the HM you'll be able to take in all the atmos etc..... For parkrun and organised events I always ditch them anyways
which one are you doing? if you don't mind me asking
First HM
My First “Live” HM!
First HM Distance Covered 😁
First HM - Things I've learned
Ran my first ever HM! 
