Are Drones at Races Really a Problem?
Maybe I’m just getting old, but I can’t wrap my head around the idea of bringing drones to races.
But apparently, that’s something the “kids are doing these days” since a number of pretty prominent races have actually banned drones from their events.
Are Drones at Races a Real Problem?
Don’t believe me? Here’s the article I came across while perusing Runner’s World this morning.
Drones are hovering over an increasing number of road races, but don’t expect them at the Boilermaker 15K Road Race in Utica, New York, on Sunday. Race officials are asking the public to keep their drones out of the air during the event.
Mary MacEnroe, public relations director for the race, wrote in an email to Runner’s World Newswire that the event hoped to avoid the use of drones for precautionary reasons.
“We have simply seen too many instances in the press of drones losing control and hurting people,” Tim Reed, president of the Boilermaker Road Race, said in a press release.
Drones are becoming more and more popular at road races, where the unmanned aerial devices capture footage with a unique view of the course. Researchers in Australia also believe that a drone can be a great running partner.
The use of drones in running isn’t always good, though. A triathlete in the Endure Batavia Triathlon in Geraldton, Australia, in 2014 said she was hit in the head by a drone, which typically weighs about 6.5 pounds.
The Boilermaker isn’t the first road race to ban drones. Both the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon have declared drone-free zones along their entire course route.
Like I said, maybe I’m too old and out of touch with pop culture today, but I just don’t get it.
What am I missing?
What is Your Take on Drones at Races? Yea? Nay? Sound Off Below!
Sure, there is the remote chance of an accident, but I’m sure more people trip in holes get chased by dogs and hit by cars then injured from drones. And one authority would a race have over public roadways? but I’m sure more people trip in holes get chased by dogs and hit by cars then injured from drones. And what authority would a race have over public roadways?
It seems one could use a drug video a particular section of a race without interference. That is unless local law-enforcement issued an ordinance prior to the it seems one could use a drug video a particular section of a race without interference. That is unless local law-enforcement race.
I like the idea of drive footage of a race.
I just didn’t realize drones were that big of a deal that they needed to be banned. Like you said, there are many more serious risks of injury during a race than a drone crashing into a bunch of runners.