Silent Running?

Posted on September 3rd, 2007 in Rant by Bret

No, I’m not talking about 1972 sci-fi film of the same name. I’m talking about the latest debate in the world of competitive running: should devices with headphones such as MP3 players be allowed?

Apparently the USA Track & Field (USATF) approved a rule in December of 2006 prohibiting the use of headphones in their sanctioned races. The governing body of competitive running in the U.S. sited safety and liability concerns for the reasons behind the new rule. While the USATF only has the authority to control its events, they apparently “set the tone,” or lack thereof, for the rest of the racing community.

Safety and liability, the great forces of our society that ruin anything even remotely fun. Of course, I wouldn’t go so far as to call running “fun,” but for some people I’m sure it’s down right blissful. But I digress.

I fail to see the safety issue with MP3 players and running. I can understand having an issue with someone running with scissors, but an MP3 player? Exactly how much of a safety treat is a runner with headphones? Oh wait, there was that runner in Florida that was running with headphones, didn’t hear the train coming, and got her legs severed off. But what does that recreational runner have to do with a competitive runner? I would hope that the USATF is smart enough to avoid active train tracks when the lay out race routes.

The interesting part of this new rule is that the USATF has never had a problem in an event that involved headphones. Huh? How then did this stupid overly cautious rule come into existence? I have no idea but I suspect it starts with a bunch of aging USATF officials sitting around grumbling about how “real” runners don’t need those iPod-thingies. Then someone in the group gets the bright idea to make them illegal. And here we are, suffering the consequences of someone’s inability to grasp the latest technology.

2 Responses to 'Silent Running?'

  1. Barry said,

    on September 3rd, 2007 at 9:22 am

    Since we’ve banned the use of steroids from most sports, I guess someone is afraid that a “motivational” mp3 file on an iPod might unfairly pump up a runner. Personally, I don’t see how anyone can run with earbuds on. I’ve never found a pair that will stay in my ears when sitting still.

    This is just another example of a small group trying to protect the rest of us from ourselves.

  2. Pablo said,

    on September 9th, 2007 at 10:02 am

    This is surely a weird way to see this.

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