iPods and marathon runners are still on shaky ground. Kelly McClure had a good run at the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon on Sunday, coming in unexpectedly in fifth place. Instead of basking in the achievement and the $500 prize, McClure was disqualified for wearing an iPod.
Her journey shows how much ground the iPod may still have to cover before becoming accepted at all competitive races.
Marathon organizers nulled her win and the prize for wearing an iPod – citing a USA Track & Field (USATF) rule that forbids prize money being awarded to runners who wear iPods or any other electronic devices.
In 2007, the USATF banned iPods “ensure safety and to prevent runners from having a competitive edge” but then repealed the rule in 2009, leaving it up to individual marathons to decide for themselves.
Organizers of the Green Bay first cited the USATF ban for disqualifying McClure then had a “doh!” moment when they realized the repeal.
Race director Sean Ryan did not agree with the USATF rule and said the organization was punishing athletes who have a good day.
“She had no anticipation of finishing even in the top 10,” Ryan said of McClure. “Last year the top 10 female marathon runners here in Green Bay all finished under three hours, so she had every right to expect to not even finish in the overall standings. “Unfortunately, she had a great day.”
McClure said that she put her iPod in at mile 16 when she started to run against the wind. She wasn’t even aware she had finished in the top five until told by officials after the race.
Is using an iPod in a marathon an unfair advantage?
Nicole Martinelli is a San Francisco freelance writer who heads up Cult of Mac Magazine, our weekly publication available on iTunes. You can find her on Twitter and Google+. If you’re doing something new, cool and Apple-related, email her.
46 responses to “iPod Marathoner Disqualified, Wins on Appeal”
Yes. Well sort of.
Listening to music while running helps relax the mind which in turn makes the runner less aware of fatigue.
no more of an advantage than fancy sneakers versus bare feet or a bunch of other similar things.
With all the fumbling about, it almost seems like a disadvantage but it does help on those tougher runs (I wear one occasionally on my own but never during a race). Regardless, there are runners who, while wearing headphones, are completely oblivious to others around them.
How the hell is listening to music a competitive advantage? It’s surely a personal preference and some people believe they will perform better with music (I know it keeps me going) but it’s purely a mind game and in no way a performance enhancer, so what’s the big deal????
Anyone see the cheesy 70’s movie, Golden Girl with Susan Anton? You would understand why the USATF has an issue with “electronic devices”, ;).
I’m not for or against it. I don’t (actually can’t) run. I would definitely say that it could be an advantage because music can really give you an energy boost just like having a private coach running along with you encouraging you. The effect is real. Should it be illegal? That’s for other people to decide.
Music definitely keeps me motivated, and there’s research out there that suggests a consistant time and distance improvement for runners who rock ear buds. Substantiation? Sure. http://goo.gl/tY0f6 and http://goo.gl/8GR1N. That being said, it can’t really be considered a performance enhancer in the same way that drugs are – if that were the case, you’d have to regulate fans to keep them from encouraging/discouraging runners and not hand out any prizes for winners, since some may be more financially in need than others (and thus more motivated by a monetary award).
I’m pretty sure my expensive shoes make me run faster than my iPod does.
Listening to heavy metal definitely gets me motivated to do severe physical activity. I say it’s an advantage, but a fair one.
an mp3 player barely costs 20 $, so what’s that compared to shoes for 100s of dollars?
Uh, how is listening to music and “advantage” in the race?
Does that mean NASCAR has to ban 8-track players in the cars during races?
Just had a thought, maybe she was running the Tom Tom app with Darth Vaders voice in the background…
“Turn right ahead to avoid the traffic jam.”
“Finishing the race is your DESTINY!”
“Those hills can’t compete with the limitless power of the FORCE!”
“Your lack of faith in your Nike Darkforce Runners is… disturbing.”
Sometimes, I don’t run with my iPod shuffle, because it is so heavy.
Ipods w/ nike+ gives runners advantage because it gives the user status of the run (speed, distance, etc) without having to look to device, jst listening to, allowing to manage better the run and get better results… So the person can push harder when needed or save energy for a final sprint… Thats a lot of advantage compared to a runner running ‘blind’
iPods makes your ears more aerodynamic.
Unless someone can factually prove that an iPod can give a runner a competitive edge, I say allow runners to have them. A headband can give a runner a competitive edge. Silly.
Stupid… F#)(*#)$(*ING rule. They should be ashamed of their dumb old selves.
WTF USATF, are you THAT old and stupid?
Really that must be the most retarded rule i have ever heard about.
The rule wasn’t about giving someone an edge. it was about safety.
Then someone decided that since these were adults why not let them take the risk if they are that ‘unwise’.
it might give you a competitive edge, a decent metronomic beat can help you keep a specific pace but, are they going to ban black african runners because they have a genetic advantage too? Sport is as much a battle against yourself in most non professional pursuits as it is against the others on the field. As long as you’re drug free (if that’s what the rules state), doing what ever you’re doing within the safety limits of the sport and playing by the rules then everything should go.
As a half marathon runner, I believe that my iPhone with a decent running app does help me do better on runs. Over long distance, the most important factor in running success might be pacing. If you start a race too quickly, you won’t have the energy to keep up near the end. Having an app that keeps track of your miles, time, and pace using GPS or a pedometer makes it easy for even a casual runner to effectively pace a half or full marathon. Anyone not using a device like that would have to rely on training, experience, and muscle memory to set and keep appropriate paces throughout the race. After three hours and 22 miles, having a device do that thinking for you can definitely make a huge difference.
As to why to ban an iPod that doesn’t not have the ability to install running apps, I would say it’s reasonable to just ban all electronics to be on the safe side rather than have race organizers have to know a lot about devices to make the distinctions.
The iPod has a small RDF that makes the other runners feel like a bear is on their back (an old time track joke about the last 100 yards).