New USATF Rule Prohibits Headphones/ Music Devices on Sanctioned Courses
Rule Applies to All Grandma's Marathon Races

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Posted Friday, 6 April, 2007

(Duluth, MN) -- USA Track & Field (USATF) recently adopted a new rule banning the use of headphones and other music devices at all USATF-sanctioned running events. USATF, the governing body for long-distance running and track & field in the United States, adopted the rule (#144.3b) in an effort to increase runner safety.

Previously, USATF guidelines recommended the prohibition of music devices for long-distance running events, but such a measure had not been mandatory until this year. Now, athletes participating in USATF-sanctioned races, such as Grandma's Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, will be subject to the new rule.

"As an organization whose races are sanctioned and certified by USATF, we are required to abide by all rules, regulations and guidelines," says Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma's Marathon. "Establishing the rules for our sport is a role of USATF. We support their efforts and will begin enforcing this new rule at all of our 2007 races."

The first Grandma's Marathon event to be affected by the headphone ban is the Fitger's 5K Run & Walk scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 21. This rule will also apply to Grandma's Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, the William A. Irvin 5K, the Park Point 5-Miler and the new Grandma's Minnesota Mile races in Duluth and St. Paul. The new USATF rule is printed on entry forms and race packets for all 2007 Grandma's Marathon events.

Participants in Grandma's Marathon events are advised to not bring headphones or other music devices with them to the racecourse. Athletes with these devices will be given the option to surrender them to a race official prior to the race. Surrendered devices will be properly packaged and mailed back to their rightful owners within two weeks after the race. Participants who violate the headphone ban will be disqualified and their finishing time will not appear in official race results.

"The best advice we can offer to anyone hoping to avoid any inconvenience is simply to not bring headphones with them on race day," adds Keenan.

For more information, please visit www.grandmasmarathon.com

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