Can I wear headphones in a road race?

Q: Can I wear headphones in a road race?

It depends on the course. Under UKA Rule TR55 S5: Shared-use courses (open roads, parks, recreation grounds, promenades, public footpaths and anywhere non-runners may be): headphones or similar devices are not permitted. Courses fully closed to traffic or to everyone except runners: the organiser may apply the same ban, depending on local circumstances. Bone-conduction headphones that don't sit in or on the ears are acceptable, as long as the ears are left clear. An organiser may still ban them, even on a closed course, based on its safety assessment. Devices used following a medical diagnosis, supported by a recommendation from a medically qualified professional, are exempt. Headphones are banned outright in cross country races.

Question

Accepted Answer

It depends on the course. Under UKA Rule TR55 S5:

Shared-use courses (open roads, parks, recreation grounds, promenades, public footpaths and anywhere non-runners may be): headphones or similar devices are not permitted.
Courses fully closed to traffic or to everyone except runners: the organiser may apply the same ban, depending on local circumstances.
Bone-conduction headphones that don't sit in or on the ears are acceptable, as long as the ears are left clear. An organiser may still ban them, even on a closed course, based on its safety assessment.
Devices used following a medical diagnosis, supported by a recommendation from a medically qualified professional, are exempt.

Headphones are banned outright in cross country races.