Runners disqualified for wearing headphones at a 10K road race
Runners at the Beverley 10K, a road race in England, were disqualified by organizers for wearing headphones during the event.
Forty-eight runners were disqualified at a road race in England last weekend for wearing headphones during the Beverley 10K. Organizers for the road race, which took place on May 8, reportedly sent out an email in the lead-up to the event outlining a ban on headphones and music players while running and advised people to leave the electronics at home.
Many runners who were seen wearing headphones were informed once they crossed the finish line that their times would be removed from the results because of the violation.
“We’ve always tried to advise people before the race and warn them that we will disqualify them if they’re seen wearing them,” said co-organizer and local athletics club president Andy Tate.
RELATED: Top 10 songs to run to for speed according to RunKeeper.
Run Britain, the national association that oversees road running, has a rule that states “the wearing of headphones, or similar devices, other than those medically prescribed, is not permitted in races on any single carriageway road that is not wholly closed to traffic.”
RELATED: Ten-year-old winner among runners disqualified for wrong turn at Daytona 5K.
Race directors have the power to enforce the rules at running events if wearing headphones is deemed hazardous. The rationale is often because announcements are made on route either through a public address system or by volunteers and race officials.
There were approximately 1,800 runners in the 23rd annual event, the largest-ever turnout for the Beverley 10K. Many road races in Canada have differing regulations on the use of headphones during organized events.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
