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New UKA road running rules - now with added headphone bans!!

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Autumnleaves Mar 2016 2:15pm, 22 Mar 2016 8,154 posts	0 Autumnleaves Re the beginners and new runners - they're all aiming to run at 'chatty pace' to ensure that they don't run too fast - so being able to talk to the runner alongside you is practically compulsory. I haven't had any beginners turn up with music, a few have phones with them where they use an app to track steps or activity. The ones who bring headphones are always 'existing' runners. I ask them not to use music on our group runs for what I hope are obvious reasons. To be honest if they have a real problem with it (no one has yet) I would wonder why they were so keen to run with a group!
Autumnleaves Mar 2016 2:16pm, 22 Mar 2016 8,155 posts	0 Autumnleaves Sorry that should have said 'in the group I run' as opposed to every single one of them in the country!
SODIron © 2002 Mar 2016 2:21pm, 22 Mar 2016 11,097 posts	0 SODIron © 2002 some runners (I know several) prefer to run races whilst listening to music. When you aske them they'll say it helps them keep motivated / pace etc. Experience shows that most will eventually choose to not wear headphones as they run more and / or improve their race performances (I was one of them in the past!!). I just feel that this rule changes has the potential unintended consequence of putting off less experienced and / or novice runners from entering road races.
DeeGee Mar 2016 3:03pm, 22 Mar 2016 17,103 posts	0 DeeGee Seven laps of a lake in Milton Keynes for the twenty-somethingth time, I neeeeeed either someone to talk to, or failing that, something to listen to. Anything else, I like to keep my ears open. Ironically, it's probably the laps of the lake where I'm most likely to fall afoul of not hearing someone cycling up behind me, or a dog breaking free of its owner.
kfo Mar 2016 3:59pm, 22 Mar 2016 11 posts	0 kfo For me I think it is just general lack of awareness of others around you, headphones or not. On a related matter, I find it really puzzling when I see people running together and they are both wearing headphones... why would you do that?!
Meglet Mar 2016 4:00pm, 22 Mar 2016 16,690 posts	0 Meglet I disagree. It's the rules. If a new runner is put off running a race by something else, eg a cut off time, or having to wear a number, or not being able to have their friend cycling along side them, then they have to abide by the rules and like it or lump it. There is actually plenty of leeway in the rules for certain races that can allow headphones, if they wish.
Meglet Mar 2016 4:01pm, 22 Mar 2016 16,691 posts	0 Meglet (I'm disagreeing with the comments about putting new runners off racing. I actually think there are many more reason why a newer runner might not enter a race. For me it was the thought of not fitting in or being last or standing out as inexperienced, hence I entered a mass participation event that also encouraged walking, knowing I wouldn't be last)
Carpathius Mar 2016 4:08pm, 22 Mar 2016 9,147 posts	0 Carpathius Re: decorum's post, people who are deaf don't choose it. Totally different situation. I like listening to music while running alone. Sometimes I change my route on purpose to avoid roads or pavements where it's a stupid idea. It doesn't mean that it's an inalienable right of mine to listen to music in an event which stipulates no.
Spleen Mar 2016 4:28pm, 22 Mar 2016 1,362 posts	0 Spleen Since we're exchanging anecdata, every single collision I have seen in a race was the fault of someone not wearing headphones. Including one which was my fault. I wasn't wearing headphones, I was just in the last 6 miles of a marathon and had lost the ability to move laterally. People who wear headphones are usually not moving fast enough to be at risk of colliding with someone, and if they do it's highly unlikely to cause any damage other than embarrassment. Re overtaking - unless they're dancing to the beat and jigging side to side I don't see how headphones can be a problem. if you're behind someone then it's your job to overtake them, not theirs to let you past. Everyone is entitled to hold their line. If you get stuck behind them on a narrow section that's your fault, you should have started in front of them or overtaken them earlier. On trail races, overtaking strategy is part of the fun.
SODIron © 2002 Mar 2016 4:31pm, 22 Mar 2016 11,098 posts	0 SODIron © 2002 hmm...whilst not wanting to get into an argument I do feel that this issue seems to polarise people, with one camp saying "let them be" and the other saying "burn them at the stake". I can see both sides of the argument and agree that it is not cool to wear headphone when your running a race. That said, I am sure that some runners would be put off entering races if they have a draconian headphone policy and, like I said previously, it would be a shame if the next Steve Way or Tracey Morris was put off road running because it has the appearance of being a little officious over a matter that in reality, isn't really causing race organisers that much of an issue.