Is it against the rules to listen to music with headphones in a marathon? The answer: It depends…
Wearing headphones when running feels like a normal thing to do. If you love to be entertained while you run, putting on music or a podcast is great.
Plus, running with music is faster, and you feel less fatigue.
However, in some races, it’s against the rules to wear headphones.
Check for rules on headphones when you register for a race. Most race websites will tell you if wearing headphones isn’t allowed or if it’s just advised against, but without repercussions.
And think about safety, wearing headphones in a crowded race can be dangerous. But in a smaller race, it’s perfectly reasonable.
The truth is, some races have banned headphones, some allow it, and in some competitions, it is merely “frowned upon.”
Rules for Wearing Headphones in a Race
Headphones used to be banned from all USATF (U.S.A Track and Field) races.
They changed the rules in 2008.
Now you can use headphones. But only if you are not competing for awards or prize money.
A professional athlete trying to win the race is not allowed to wear headphones.
However, it is allowed if you are running for fun, sponsorship, or beating a personal time.
However, some races still don’t like you to wear personal music devices at the event. It’s a safety hazard, and organizers want to minimize it.
It’s not uncommon for runners to get disqualified after finishing the race. Check the rules before putting on music, even if it’s on race day.
Here are the 5 biggest marathons and their rules on headphones:
| Marathon | Rules on headphones |
|---|---|
| New York City Marathon | Using headphones is strongly discouraged but allowed |
| Chicago Marathon | Headphones are permitted, but not for athletes in American Development Program. |
| Paris Marathon | Headphones are allowed |
| London Marathon | Using headphones is discouraged but allowed |
| Tokyo Marathon | Headphones allowed for non-competitors |
Bay to Breakers organizers, arguably the largest run in California (if not the USA), advise against wearing headphones and music devices. But they aren’t banned.
City2Surf, one of the biggest runs in Australia, organizers advise against wearing headphones. But you won’t be disqualified if you do (it would be a shame to waste the entry fee).
Cursa El Corte Ingles, one of the biggest races in Europe (2nd most popular in the world with 100k+ runners), allows wearing headphones though it’s advised against it.
The only time you shouldn’t use headphones is if you plan on attacking the first few spots and medals.
In that case, the race director may ask you not to wear them because abuses happened in the past. And some runners just get disqualified at the end.
Somebody giving you pace advice over headphones is forbidden and will get you disqualified.
A newbie runner should always check specific rules for each race.
How to Find Out if a Race Permits Headphones
Don’t wait until the race before finding out if headphones are allowed or not. It’s also not a good idea to assume that they are.
Generally, you won’t be banned if you wear them, but it’s best to check the rules.
Upon registration for a running event or a marathon, you will probably receive an information pack.
This may be an email or sent to you via physical mail. Inside you’ll get your race bib number and also instructions for the day.
People organizing races know there is a need for running safety tips and advice for their event to run smoothly. The information should be included here.
Most running events often allow headphones for those participating for fun, that aren’t trying to win.
- If you can’t find it in the information the race director or planners have sent you, check their website or event page for FAQ.
- As a last resort, email the director and ask if you can listen to music during the event. Many will be fine with running headphones, but it is best to check.
Safety Concerns and Why Headphones are Banned or Discouraged
So, what are the risks of wearing headphones while running a race?
The Safety Factor
Safety is the main reason why race directors may have objections to wearing headphones in marathons and races.
Headphones weren’t banned just for the sake of it. The idea is that many of them block your hearing due to noise isolation. And this means you aren’t able to hear other runners behind you.
In the modern age, some of the best running headphones don’t rely on noise isolation. Options such as bone conduction headphones leave your hearing free.
In any run, there are certain rules for runners that will make you safer.
Including:
- Stay visible with bright-colored and reflective clothing
- At night use lights like those attached to a headband
- Assume you’re invisible
- When running on roads, always go against the traffic
- Don’t go over your physical limitations. You don’t want to leave the race in an ambulance
Consider the Type of Race
If there are many people at the race, wearing headphones might not be the best idea.
A big marathon with a huge number of people in attendance can be great fun, and it’s wise to keep aware of the crowd.
Listening to cheering crowds and the energy in the air can be equally fun. Lots of runs include bands with live music and encouraging spectators. Don’t miss that.
What to Listen For?
Most races will pass without any incident, but you can never be too careful.
Listen to any warnings which may be issued via loudspeakers.
Also, emergency vehicles and supporting cars and motorcycles often accompany marathon runners. Even strollers can be the way sometimes.
On top of that, don’t forget that faster competitors might be coming from behand ind trying to overtake you. If you don’t hear them, you’ll get into problems.
A smaller safety concern is, if you have wired headphones which get in the way. You could potentially trip or get distracted trying to free yourself from a tangled cable.
Pros and Cons of Wearing Headphones in a Race
There are many reasons why wearing headphones in a race can be a positive thing for your mindset. These include:
- Distracting you from any aches and pains.
- Keeping you entertained and making it feel like the marathon is much easier.
- Setting the pace you will be running consistently.
Read more on how music affects running.
It isn’t all positive.
There are some downsides to wearing headphones in a race:
- You might be less aware of your surroundings and any hazards which could cause an issue throughout your run. This is especially true with noise-isolating and in-ear headphones.
- Your battery might die early, especially if you don’t have headphones with good battery life.
- Your ears can experience fatigue or even hearing damage if you listen too loudly for too long.
What If You Can Only Run While Listening to Music?
You can wear headphones but keep extra careful about your surroundings. It will take more energy to do so, and you risk getting into an accident.
Or get headphones with good awareness, like shallow-fitting earbuds or one of the best bone conduction headphones (and keep the volume low).
In some races, only bone-conducting headphones are allowed, while other headphones, in-ears, and earphones are banned.
How to Stay Aware Even If Wearing Headphones
The debate used to be headphones or earbuds, and while this is still relevant, bone conduction headphones are a new player.
Bone conduction options are usually wireless headphones that create sound by vibration through bones. Your ears are completely open to the environment, so you’ll still be able to hear possible dangers and marathon runners behind you.
Other designs are also suitable, though less so. You don’t have to go down the bone conduction route.
You can get classic earphones like the Apple earbuds that don’t block that much ambient noise.
However, ensure that the headphones you plan to wear while running don’t have active noise cancelling if you are racing in public places (these are the most dangerous).
Choose the Right Headphones for Your Race
You can mitigate some of the issues by choosing the right headphones.
Wireless headphones are less likely to get in the way, and durable headphones are less likely to break during the race.
For perfect awareness, consider bone-conduction running headphones or shallow-fitting earbuds.
You can find the best running headphones and running earbuds here.
Conclusion
To sum up the key actions:
- Check the rules on headphones when registering for a race.
- Decide if it’s smart wearing headphones depending on safety factors.
- Choose the right running headphones.
Matija Ferjan is a seasoned audio enthusiast reviewing headphones since 2015. He has personally tested hundreds of headphones and earbuds. He’s an active member of the Headphone Audio community and a true nitpicker, always looking for the “best-value-for-money” headphones.
