Are Headphones During a Race Okay?

by Isis on March 9, 2010

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It’s the age old question….is it proper race etiquette to wear headphones during a race? I use to think that I would never be able to run without my iPod and races were no exception.

For my first ½ marathon, Lee convinced me not to wear them because I wouldn’t be able to hear the bands (San Antonio RnR) or be able to talk with my dad, who happened to run that race with us. I’m really glad I didn’t because I feel like I would have missed the great conversations with dad and there were so many things happening that would have been drowned out by my iPod.

Although I had a great experience my first official race, I’m kind of torn on whether to wear headphones or not… races like Rock n’ Roll have music and sounds going all around but other races have desolate spots with no fans or music going on. Those are the times I wish I had some music pumping through my ears.

Now music pumping through your ears isn’t always a good thing. For example, during the Cowtown ½ marathon, we were around mile 12 and the marathoners were coming through. Police cars were coming through trying to get us to move to the left side. The voice over the loud megaphone said, “CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THE PEOPLE WITH HEADPHONES ON TO MOVE OVER.” That’s pretty scary that those people couldn’t hear the loud megaphone as it is, but they could have gotten run over or ruined the time of the marathoners. That is just not O.K.

So obviously there are reasons to wear them or not to wear them. What do you think? Does it impair the experience for the runner or other runners surrounding them during big races?

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  • http://www.dailymile.com/people/jeremyday Jeremy

    I don't think that headphones are appropriate during a race for pretty much the example you cite. Sure, they help you get into your pace and into the zone, but they block out everything that it going on around you. I've almost been run over by more than one oblivious, headphone-wearing runner who suddenly veered right into me. That's almost impossible when you aren't wearing headphones because you can hear and “feel” the other runners around you. I also don't wear headphones on training runs because when I'm training on roads I want to be able to hear the traffic and when I'm training on trails I want to be able to hear the trees and the animals. But, to sum things up, runners wearing headphones don't generally share the road well.

  • http://twitter.com/mlindsley Mark Lindsley

    It all comes down to safety. If it can be done safely, then cool. I wore headphones for the first time on Saturday for a 10K since I knew that I wasn't going to running with anyone that I knew. I really I enjoyed it, but probably won't do it for every race. I did pull an ear bud out if I knew something was coming up ahead, busy intersections, and the infamous finish line.

    For the majority of my runs, solo and group, I usually go without headphones. I like to think a lot while I run solo and I like to talk a bunch when I run with a group.

    For this weekend's Dallas Rock n Roll, I'll definitely be going without headphones. Looking forward to the bands and the experience of a larger event.

  • http://www.twitter.com/krystheilen Krys

    I used to run with my dog and my headphones blasting, in a park that had a HUGE designated pedestrian lane. I felt safe there with the headphone as loud as I needed to forget the burn in my legs and just run as fast as I could. Until I got hit. By a car I didn't see, or more importantly HEAR coming.

    The park was hilly and curvy and the car was speeding. Now, thankfully, it was more of a bump than anything major. I had a massive {AND I DO MEAN MASSIVE} bruise on my right hip but otherwise no other injuries to myself or my dog.

    But, I had no idea the car was coming. I didn't hear it at all. And it turned out later, once she saw me and realized what was happening; she honked to try to warn me as she slammed on her brakes, and I didn't hear that either. I learned my lesson. I no longer run with headphones at all if I'm anywhere near a road. And now, if I'm off on a footpath, I only put music in one ear and I leave it turned down pretty low.

    So, for safety reasons, I vote a VERY LOUD NO to wearing headphones during races or running on streets!! Be smarter than I was! :)

  • http://twitter.com/Oblivion Oblivion Ratula

    I believe every one has a right to run his or her own race and if people want to cut out half of the race experience, power to 'em. As long, of course, as they do so without keeping others from running THEIR own races. I took headphones on my first marathon and never listened to them. I ditched them off to my wife around Mile 9 (though wished I had them back after 18). After that, I pretty much stopped training with them except on the treadmill (and today I walked instead of running, and took music). But when I do listen, I listen low and can still hear all cars coming and going.

  • http://spamboy.com/ Spamboy

    Personally, I never wear headphones, although I had to be weaned off of them like a junkie. The group I coach win bans them on our long Saturday runs, and out of habit I stopped wearing them during the week. This fits in fine with my running philosophy, which is to become closer to nature and the world around me.

    And come race time, they are just one more distraction on a day already filled with them — so I leave them at home.

    So, yes, they impair the experience for me — but not just on race day.

  • dominiqueia

    Headphones during race: Okay, as long as they are at a medium to low volume, so you don't drown out every bit of outside sound. I also ran Cowtown 1/2 and that's what I did. At the end of the race I wanted to absorb the sounds of the race — so the last mile I took my earbuds out and listened to the crowd. AMAZING!

    Headphones during a normal run outside: Big NO-NO. You can still enjoy music without headphones. I strap my iphone to my arm and listen without a head set. I can still enjoy the music and I can still hear what's going on around me.

  • brianbrode

    One of the best parts of a race is the sound of the competitors on the course. If you wear headphones you'll lose an important part of the race experience.

  • tyangus

    iPhones should be limited to runs alone and when you aren't dodging cars in suburbia. in a race, you should be in a zone and that zone should be your run…soak everything in…the scenery, the fans (hopefully) and your fellow runners.

  • http://www.organicclimber.com/ Caleb

    Having only done two 1/2's now I have worn them in both, First race, Dallas White Rock, I had them on and off throughout the race just depending on where I was. Some of the time I just wanted them off to take in my surroundings. But when I had them on they where not up so loud I still couldn't hear what was going on around me.

    Race 2, Cowtown, I had them turned on almost the entire race and loved it. Again, not turned up so high I couldn't hear people passing me on the side.

    I think headphones are fine just as long as the racer is responsible and listening at a volume where they can still hear their surroundings.

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