HEADPHONES: THE RACE IS RUN!

Ever had that feeling of flying over the finish line at the end of a gruelling race and concrete legs brought back to life by the sounds of ‘Eye of the Tiger’ blasting in your ears? If so, you may soon be brought crashing down to earth with a disqualification for sporting illegal earwear. UK Athletics has a nasty surprise in store for runners who wear headphones - disqualification.

Since a ban on headphones was introduced this summer by UK Athletics, for many runners up and down the UK, the reality has been the disappointment of unexpected disqualification.

The new competition rules of racing are focused on health and safety and decree that “the wearing of headphones, or similar devices, is not permitted in races on any single carriageway road that that is not wholly closed to traffic.” Additionally, UKA recommends a ban on headphones in any race where they could pose a hazard.