Richmond 13.1 Half Marathon

I could be wrong but headphones are against UK Athletics rules, so most events will officially prohibit their use.  However, there's a difference between having a published rule and enforcing the rule...

PS I nearly always wear earphones whilst training but never when racing - why not try it, its not as difficult as you think.  Running 13 miles heaphone free seems possible to the majority of HM participants in my experience.

nicolajmiller wrote (see)

Was looking forward to entering this but it's yet another race that doesn't allow headphones, despite being largely park-based. Is this really the way races are going? I've heard the arguments about not being able to hear the marshals but I've never once not been able to hear what a marshal said and that's what the pause/volume button is for... If the organisers are really concerned, can't there be a disclaimer or something to sign? I imagine lots of people may respond and eschew the virtues of running headphone-free but for this sort of distance, it's just not an option for me and many runners that I know. I can't be the only one? I see fancy dress is permitted - perhaps I'll run as a DJ...

Another poster scared of the prospect of hearing their own thoughts.

Give up running and take up clubbing. You know it makes sense. You might understand clubbing better than you do running.

From the course map, a lot seems to be along the Thames Path - will you be able to hear runners approaching from behind and wanting to get by? Or cyclists who use that stretch of towpath a lot?

Its a nice place to run - try it headphone free - its much nicer!

Dave - did you see (or hear) that guy at the Outlaw last year that had a cassette player with speaker taped to his crossbar? Guess he couldn't cope with 112 miles without music!!

I guess you'd have to use a cassette player - a record player would jump going over all those bumps on these crap UK roads!!

Didn't ever occur to anyone that some people run with headphones due to say social anxiety or panic attacks? In recent years I've done races without them, but I doubt I would have ever started racing if I couldn't have worn them in the past. Sometimes people's mental health does make them "scared of the prospect of hearing their own thoughts". Sure not everyone that wears them does so because of this, but as long as those wearing them are careful and ensure they are aware of those around them (btw I train along a canal path and am always aware of other path users behind me - also not everyone listens to music) I don't think we should be putting people off entering races.

stutyr wrote (see)

I could be wrong but headphones are against UK Athletics rules, so most events will officially prohibit their use.  However, there's a difference between having a published rule and enforcing the rule...

PS I nearly always wear earphones whilst training but never when racing - why not try it, its not as difficult as you think.  Running 13 miles heaphone free seems possible to the majority of HM participants in my experience.

 

I don;t think it is against UK Athletics rules, I think its more a health and safely decision taken by the organizers. TBH it seems to me that most say no headphones to cover themselves but don't really mind either way on the day.

Running without headphones is possible but running with them give you a boost at the end and why not having this confort? I do not understand the necessity to prohibit them as it is not the case in other countries.

people dont hear u coming even when no-one is wearing headphones. today i was out running. couple take up almost all of the footpath heading in same direction as im going. i squeeze through a gap on one side. you should have heard the lady shriek. good. pay attention if you are going to take up the whole footpath you dozy cow.

This is ridiculous. 

I have ran without headphones many times, I have ran with heardphones many times. Im not scared of my own thoughts, nor have social anxiety, I just prefer to listen to music. 

Running, all training and exercise in general is fantastic and needs to be promoted not selective in this increasingly unfit society. 

If it is a health and safety concern then please could someone point out exactly where in the health and safety at work act 1974 this is written. There are a great many misnomers about health and safety. Most of the time it is quoted to falsely back up someones wishes...

Matthew

Yeah, agree Matthew.

1974! 

 Ipods and the like, haven't actually been around that long.

I find the concept of phone & gadget addiction slightly unsettling.

I'm not a fan of runners wearing headphones for a race, sure if you are on a training run then they can be great.

For Race day I would always leave headphones at home, I think a lot of the entrants will be familiar with most of this course and there are some narrow stretches. Some parts of pavement that are next to busy roads and probably only two runners wide, especially Kew Bridge Road turn before mile 2 and there are 1500+ runners on the day. I think there will be a road to cross by a Bridge too later in Richmond, the point I am trying to make is that this is probably a race where headphones aren't the best idea if you are needing to pay attention to what is going on around you.

I'm looking forward to this event, expecting a few teething problems as it is in the first year, but should be a great addition to the West London race calendar. Much better than staying at home eating Easter Eggs