Having established a partnership with AfterShokz – a leading headphone brand – United Kingdom Athletics updated their rules of competition surrounding the use of headphones during UKA-affiliated running races.
The UKA rules of competition are clear that “in ear” headphones cannot be used in events where roads are open to traffic, but bone conducting earphones have now been approved for use under these conditions. Bone conducting earphones are the only type of earphones which have been approved for use in these conditions. For this reason, aat-events recommend that all participants wanting to use earphones at aat-events use Aftershockz earphones – which can be purchased from Fitstuff in Guildford or Weybridge Sports Shop in Weybridge.
Chris Jones, CEO of England Athletics said: “We recognise that runners enjoy listening to music while warming up or competing. Using bone conduction technology, AfterShokz is able to deliver stereophonic sound through your cheekbones to your inner ear. Runners can enjoy their music and still hear everything around them – including traffic, emergency vehicles and other warning noises. This technology will potentially prevent accidents caused by traditional headphones and earbuds that block out sounds.”
Kim Fabiano, Chief Marketing Officer at AfterShokz commented, “We are extremely excited and proud to partner with UKA. Our goal is to give people a comfortable and safe listening experience whilst playing sport and this relationship will help runners continue to train and race with music.”
aat-events have updated their earphone policy to reflect the new rules:
– Events with full road closures
Earphones may be used in UKA-affiliated events with full road closures, such as the Mercer Surrey Half Marathon. We recommend runners use AfterShokz Trekz Titanium or AfterShokz Trekz Air bone conducting earphones – which can be purchased from Fitstuff in Guildford. Earphone users must ensure that they can hear instructions from marshals at all times.
– Events with partial or no road closures (includes trail runs)
Only bone-conducting headphones are permitted for use in open road/trail events, such as the Fitstuff G3, Guildford Triathlon, The Hogs Back Road Race etc. We recommend runners use AfterShokz Trekz Titanium or AfterShokz Trekz Air bone conducting earphones – which can be purchased from Fitstuff in Guildford. Earphone users must ensure that they can hear instructions from marshals at all times.
AfterShokz Trekz Titanium
Lightweight and comfortable Trekz Titanium wireless stereo headphones use bone conduction technology delivering the music through your cheekbones meaning that your ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds. Designed with athletes in mind, Trekz Titanium earphones are sweatproof, secure, and will allow you to hear your surroundings.
AfterShokz Trekz Air
20% lighter than the Trekz Titanium headphones with a complete wraparound titanium design to give a flexible and light fit around the head. Trekz Air uses the same bone conduction technology to deliver the music through your cheekbones leaving your ears completely free. Sweat, dust and moisture proof wireless stereo headphones.