Can you imagine training several months for a half-marathon with your trusty iPod only to be told to hand over your motivational friend at the starting line? Christopher Russell wrote a thoughtful article in Active on the iPod ban controversy. A half-marathon he recently entered refused to start the race until all runners turned over their headphones.

The U.S. governing body for running, USA Track & Field (USATF), officially banned headphones in races last December citing insurance liability and safety issues. But race officials traditionally tend to look the other way at the starting line. In a new response, the Portland Marathon is now iPod-friendly, advocating for common sense headphone use. They justify the policy thanks to their closed course (e.g., no cars).

I'm sure there have been instances where a plugged-in racer with AC/DC on volume 10 was hurt by cross-traffic, couldn't hear course marshals or wavered into a passing runner. There will always be iPod-iDiots that turn the volume up so loud they can't race safely. Same goes for the bicycling jerks that don't know how to pass on the left. Serious collisions or even deaths can strike in a split second when people pass improperly or those being passed cannot hear "on your left" passing signals.

I like the Portland Marathon's approach for a closed course. Allow iPods, but back it up with a public relations campaign encouraging safe headphone racing etiquette. I'm undecided when it comes to plugging in on an open course and would appreciate feedback from experienced racers via the poll or a comment.

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