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AGONY, PLEASE

No iPods, Mr. & Ms. Runner,

No music, for the Marathon's sake!

You'd lose that soulful look of suffering

And make it seem a piece of cake.

I know that my friend and I ran stoned one year, running bandit, it was like running to music without headphones. I could see that runners wearing the phones would be just not social animals, but some are just not talkers, like a metaaphor for those flowing down the river of life wanting to be left alone. Running high allowed me to interact more with specatators. One black chick yelled at me, lose 10 lbs. and you'd be hot! What a laugh we both had on that one...We ran the Philadelphia Marathon stoned also 2 weeks after that. By mile 20 it's worn off anyway..and the last 6 are the worst!

I'm not a runner, but RIDICULOUS that music is considered an artificial enhancer! The safety issue may be a good argument, as even when I run in the park, those with headphones are so unaware and impolite to fellow runners...or joggers in my case. GOOD LUCK to all you participants this Sunday!

Ban sneakers too :)

What a stupid, ridiculous, anal-retentive rule. My goodness...

Sigh. Ridiculous to ban them, but if they are banned, it should be for safety alone. It is dangerous to run with those things on shutting out your peripheral hearing and attention. I love listening to music as I run, and do find it wonderfully helpful-- in fact it is harder for me to run without them. But I am far from a competitive runner, and most of us runners are not in that category.

But as it is, I am too scared to run in the streets with them. I would only consider using them in a completely traffic-free area.

Did they just announce the ban or has this been known for the last year? If not, that is terrible to make this announcement the week before the race. It seems unfair to break people's pattern--which may include the use of music.

I think the discrimination isn't just about the helpful rhythm of the music. It's also economic discrimination. What if you can't afford an Ipod? Your discman's gonna skip!

Then they would have to ban the supporters on the side of the roads wouldn't they?

One more thing, that idea that music gives a runner a competitive edge is ridiculous. Anyone listening to music while running is not planning to win a marathon. The elite runners don't run with music and these guys finish in about 2 hours.

I listen to books on tape, but then I'm slower than molasses in January.

Knowing I could run to music got me out of bed on cold January mornings and contributed to my 30 pound weight loss. Knowing I could run to my favorite songs got me out of bed early on the weekends to run the required 9 races to qualify for the NYC Marathon next year. My favorite songs got me through a 20 mile run last Saturday in the cold rain.

I am a casual runner. I am running the marathon in Philadelphia in about 3 weeks. I need my music. It is there when I need that extra push to lift my knees and keep putting one foot in front of the other. It's there when I get lonely out there running long distance. This music ban in races may stop a lot of casual runners in their tracks.

I do agree that the NYC Marathon probably requires no music soundtrack. However, I think runners should have the option. Or maybe just keep the music low or keep one earbud in the ear.

I've run races both with and without music. Both have their benefits. I run faster without music. I have more fun with the music. Really, I'm not going to win the marathon so why not keep the music and keep it fun.

I ran last year and if it were up to me headphones would be banned. Cameras too. Nevermind how distracting it is to have to run around a tourist runner taking a photo, I can't believe runners are allowed to tune out of their surroundings in such a crowded field. The danger of broken bones and crushed dreams, not to mention lost time training is too much. I remember at least five occaisions in last years race when I almost ran over people because they couldn't hear me. They are dangerous and have to go.