At the recent Beverley 10k road race in Hull, a total of 48 runners were disqualified for wearing headphones. Around 1,800 in total ran the race.
Event organisers said listening to music breached health and safety rules and that the regulation was included in an email sent to all participants beforehand. Eight of those disqualified were affiliated to official athletics clubs. Most were told at the finishing line that their timings would not be recorded.
It serves perhaps as just a reminder that the same rules apply to most races here in Ireland. As most roads are not closed, runners should always be aware of what is going on around them.
On some occasions in the past, headphone wearers have been removed from results but it seems to be the exception.
Should it be enforced more often?
Links....
Dozens disqualified from Beverley 10k
Runners spoke of their anger today after being disqualified
a bit rough if you ask me.all very jobsworth.
ReplyDeleteI think not. Punters pay their entry fee so their results are entitled to be recorded.
ReplyDeleteAAI clubs are pedantic at the best of times so some clubs can be aggressive about it. Road traffic moves on the left so if you run on the left or keep in by the ditch I can't see the problem.
Instead of complaining about minor issues, clubs should embrace the fun runner who enjoys running or jogging to a few tunes.Its not like they are out for anything more than fun with a pb as a bonus if it comes.
Absolutely!
ReplyDeleteIf this is a rule then of course it should be enforced. Even if a runner wins such a race with a course record, with headphones, the win and time should be null and void. That's my opinion but I'm not a race organiser. I don't know if some insurance companies insist on runners not having headphones in races. Is the insurance still valid if some runners wear use headphones when asked not to?
ReplyDeleteDead right, dangerous wearing them especially if roads open, and potentially impedes other runners
ReplyDeleteAgree with this man. Organisers of races have to minimise risks and do things like this to ensure safe passage for all ./However, health and safety expert Mark Dobson, who works for a local company which gives advice to construction firms about regulations, said organisers were justified in enforcing the rule.
ReplyDelete"My opinion is that they have taken this decision in order to prevent any potential civil claims," he said.
"These may arise as a result of an injury caused by a runner not being able to hear what is going on around them because they might be wearing earphones. A claim could also come from another runner, who isn't wearing earphones, and has been injured by one that is.
"There is no UK or EU law that bans the wearing of earphones - plenty do when they are out running independently. The difference here is that the rule is only there because of an organised event, and that's where the duty of care lies."
About 1,800 amateur athletes took part in the race, in what wa
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I know a lot of people that wear Headphones just to hear their pace and distance. There are a good few races that don't have distance markers.
ReplyDeletegod forbid when the ambulance chasing health and safety guy gets his tuppence in. clubs should be sensible without going to the extremes of the running club mentioned in the article
ReplyDeleteSorry lads you should NOT run on the left in Ireland. Pedestrians should walk/run facing the traffic that's the law and for good reason. When you walk or run on the left, your chances of getting struck are very high and you put your life in the hands of the motorist and their ability to see you. Running on the right gives you the ability to see and be aware of what's coming and more than doubles your chances of avoiding a collision. The pedestrian on the right rule includes all who use their feet for propulsion so do not run on the left unless it's guarded off or the road is closed. Run safe!! John
ReplyDeleteI don't particualrly agree with the whole ban presonally but its the rule of the event so it should be enforced. Everyone signing up is well aware its the rule but will keep on doing it unless its enforced. If the BHAA did it once i can guarantee it wouldnt need to be said again.
ReplyDeleteI think anyway the club mentioned were very sensible. Clubs here who usually lead the way should set a good example on this once and for all.
ReplyDeleteThe justification for the rule is reasonable, certainly on open roads. But as a runner who relies on headphones (for pace, distance and distraction), I know how hard it can be without them.
ReplyDeleteMy compromise is usually just to wear on 1 ear. Leaving the side of the traffic open.
Maybe some sort of reasonable compromise like this could be allowed for?
Unfortunately there are some serious rotten apples out there (I'd use a different term verbally...) who will make a civil claim over anything. They DO exist, it's not just adds on the TV about reported false or exaggerated claims. Just one claim could shut down either an event going forward and quite possibly a club. Once a claim for a running event goes in, the costs for putting on a race will go through the roof for every club and organisation.
ReplyDeleteI wish this weren't the case, but sadly, it will only take one rotten apple to ruin it for everyone else (but not to worry, they'll get their sun holidays, new kitchen, new car etc from the 'claim' which they can conveniently blame on ordinary decent people who are trying to make a real contribution to the local community by putting on these races)......
I'm not for a second saying that people who generally wear headphones would be taking civil case against race organisers, but it's only fair that race organisers are within their rights to do everything to minimize risk and/or any potential claims that some a****** may decide to take against them.
I presume deaf people are banned from running also so?
ReplyDeleteShow me a local race that sticks to this rule.. Look at pics from any race and you will find headphones, even those for AI registered clubs... An Irish rule, say it but don't bother enforcing it...
ReplyDeleteThat's what makes Ireland... Irish!
ReplyDeleteIf every rule and law were strictly enforced it wouldn't be the same country!
Ever get pulled over by a Gard (e.g. for a blown light bulb or your Motor Tax is just out of date) and you're let off with a warning?
Common sense has to come into it.
What if you were late renewing your TV Licence (or any other minor offence) -should they enforce the Maximum Penalty and/or jail time for everyone who's late in renewing it?