Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Courtney Glen White | Pfc. Benjamin I. Douglas runs along the Habu Trail on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Japan - A section of the Habu Trail between Gates 1 and 3 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma has been designated an official running trail as of Nov. 1.
While the trail will continue to support security patrols and maintenance vehicles, signage now designates the section as a running trail where pedestrians will have the right-of-way, creating a much safer running route. Due to the increased safety precautions and notification to the Provost Marshal’s Office and maintenance agencies, runners are also now authorized to wear headphones while running on the two-mile section of the trail.
“Listening to music through headphones is part of our culture today,” said Lt. Col. Ian S. Wallace, the executive officer of MCAS Futenma. “We wanted to recognize that desire and provide a place where headphones can be worn safely and within regulation.”
According to Marine Corps Bases Japan/ III Marine Expeditionary Force Order 1050.7A wearing headphones while walking, running, bicycling, inline skating or driving a personally owned vehicle is prohibited on sidewalks and roads both on and off base. However, wearing headphones is authorized on tracks, treadmills and running paths in parks or on seawalls.
The trail was designated for runners due to a history of headphone-related accidents, said Sgt. Maj. Brent L. Cook, the sergeant major of MCAS Futenma. “Situational awareness is huge. People don’t realize how far off in their own world they are,” said Cook.
Listening to music while running can be a dangerous distraction, but given the right circumstances and environment it can work to a runner’s advantage, said Bonnie Axman, a fitness coordinator at the McCutcheon Gym on MCAS Futenma.
“Headphones can take your mind off the pain when running, maybe allowing someone to make it farther than they normally would,” said Axman. “Running to the beat of music can help keep your momentum up, and prevent your pace from slowing.”
Listening to music can help with a workout but can also take one’s mind off of their surroundings. Using the Habu Trail will lessen the negative impact of that loss of situational awareness, according to Wallace.
“Using headphones while running can be great in the right setting, so we facilitated an area where that can be done safely,” Wallace said.
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.22.2011 18:24 |
| Story ID: | 80448 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 546 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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