iPod Conflict Brews in Racing

By Christopher Russell
For Active.com

There’s a growing conflict between the running establishment and the iPod wearers. More races are vigorously enforcing their ‘no-iPod’ rules. A half-marathon I was at recently wouldn’t start the race until everyone turned in his or her headphones.

On the other hand, the Portland Marathon has announced it is now MP3-friendly, encouraging runners to plug-in and use common sense on their closed marathon course.

The debate over whether to allow MP3 players during a race continues. But where is the line drawn between safety and freedom?

iPod Pros and Cons

The two sides officially line up this way. On one side you have the USATF and race officials. Any USATF race disqualifies headphone-wearing entrants. Meaning that if you were fast enough to win something but had worn your iPod, you would be disqualified. Your results expunged from the official record.

Race officials are forced by their liability...