Running a 5K - iPods Not Allowed!?!?!

This has been a rule at every run I've been to. They don't really enforce it. Tons of people use them at races. Mostly they run the earbuds up through their shirt & put the iPod somewhere discreet. I think you'll be fine.

I do 5/10k charity WALKS and I always use my ipod. Maybe it's different with running.

I need my "workout" music to keep me pumped up.

Not all 5Ks use that rule...I have run in a couple of non-IPOD races and no one ever checked to see if runners were abiding by the rules...but I did run one without it and it is doable and if you can stand to listen to yourself breathe hard, kind of therapeutic...

This is becoming a more and more popular rule at races because it's a safety issue. Three miles without it won't be bad at all :-) If this is your first race I can guarantee you won't miss it. The atmoshpere is enough to keep you going! Good luck!

Did a half marathon and everyone had their music with them.

Hmm.. obv a safety issue.

I have just got back from this week's parkrun ( www.parkrun.com ) which is 5k - and about half of the runners do use music. i have done but didn't today. And to be honest I enjoyed it more -as I was able to hear what was going on around me - hear who was behind me.

I also got chance to have a chat or two on the way round.

I got a PB too, so in future my 'race' 5ks will be music free. I do like to have music when I run alone though - as I get bored.

In any UKA race, MP3 players are banned for safety reasons. I've been at some races where this was ignored and others where it was enforced to the point of DQ if a marshall noticed. For that matter a lot of races also ban anything that can technically be helping you with your pacing...so things like garmins. I've noticed that on the whole this rule is not enforced unless you are elite or in the running for prizes...and I think this must be because it's not so much of a safety issue and if you're not in the running for the prizes then a little pacing information is probably no skin off most peoples noses.

A lot of people think the MP3 ban is harsh. I don't....I've seen an ambulance trying to get through the field at a race, with runners infront of it not moving out the way because they can't hear it. I've also seen people run the wrong way because they can't hear the marshalls.

For me personally, even if I'm out on my own (not racing) I don't use an MP3 because I feel if running on the roads it's really important to be able to hear the traffic, and if running on trail it is best to be able to use your sense of hearing to be aware of anything else that might be around.

Most races I have been in it is only enforced for those "competing" for the top spots.

But if you are going to wear an iPod, PLEASE turn it down so you can still hear the people around you, emergency vehicles, race officials, etc.

I second those that say try to run without it. I used to think I could NEVER run without music, but now I do fairly regularly, even on long training runs, and most certainly during races. You don't get the full benefit of the race atmosphere with the music blaring in your ears, AND, it's a 5K, not a marathon -- that's not that long to go without.

Try, it -- you may love it!

Depends on the race organisers and how likely there are to be safety issues, e.g. you're running somewhere with a lot of other people or there are other members of the public using the park/roads.

You will be fine on a 5k with no music, most races are fairly social and its nice to say hello and thank you to the marshals who are giving their time up for free to ensure you can run.

I agree it's hard to stay motivated without headsets...

enforced, you'll be disqualified if you're caught AND you'll really annoy other race go-ers. 5km is only a 25 minute run anyway so you'll be fine for that, you'll be focussing on smashing your pace plus having a giggle at those with funny things on their tshirts etc.

Never heard about HRMs etc being banned. The no i-pod/mp3 player thing is normally a result of smaller races where there will be some road traffic and increases your awareness of the course. Bigger races seem to have music stations all the way round and spectators which is more than enough encouragement/motivation. If you can't motivate yourself for a 5Km race though without music, you're probably not going to be at the front anyway!

I've seen the rules and they're usually about safety (the only local run that uses that rule goes over the causeways). Even Disney had this rule for ALL their races (including the marathons and half marathons) up until last year. They play music on course and they want everyone to be able to hear emergency course instructions.

I agree with RAF, by the way. If they say "no iPods" and you get caught, you run the risk of a DQ. And, more importantly, you'll piss off the other runners who followed the rules. 5K's aren't that long, you'll do fine without the iPod.