Downed Single Engine Plane at Hilton Head Island S.C. (Photo: AP)

Run on the beach to avoid traffic? So was 38 year old Robert Gary Jones of Hilton Head Island South Carolina, when he was struck from behind and killed by a single engine kit plane. The event occurred on Monday evening. Jones, apparently was listening to headphones during his run, and likely did not even hear the stalled aircraft approaching from behind. According to the AP release:

“There’s no noise,” said aviation expert Mary Schiavo, a former inspector general for the National Transportation Safety Board. “So the jogger, with his ear buds in, and the plane without an engine, you’re basically a stealth aircraft. Who would expect to look up?”

This incident could provide fodder for proponents of banning the use of headphones during competitive races. Several major races already discourage the use of headphones, because of safety reasons. According to former inspector Schiavo’s statement, it appears unlikely that even without headphones, Jones would have heard the approaching plane.

But, for those who live in metropolitan areas (like Manhattan) and do not have the luxury of working out on the beach, Jones’ death should be a reminder to exercise caution. For many, taking music away from the workout, changes the workout from “doable,” into torture. So, the key is to find a happy medium.

When listening to music during a run, make sure that the volume in the headphones is not so loud that it blocks out all of the ambient noise. Lets be honest, even when Central Park Drive is closed to traffic, that place is a complete zoo. The same dangers exist on almost all of New York city’s pedestrian paths, especially those that are shared with bicycle traffic. As great as music can be to help a person get into a zone during a workout, tragedies like the one in South Carolina prove that it important to remain aware of surroundings, even in the most seemingly innocuous of locations.

So, to be on the safe side, turn down the headphones, and enjoy the spring weather!

Photo credit: John Michael Maas, Global Water Challenge.

In February, New York City runners raised almost a half of a million dollars for Haiti, during the NYRR Run for Haiti event. In April, NYC runners will have another opportunity to join with others around the globe in running to help conditions in Haiti. Dow has teamed up with Live Earth for an event called “Run for Water.” Run for Water is a global event, in which runners will participate in a 6k race, to improve drinking water conditions in Haiti. From the event’s website:

The City that never sleeps will be coming together on April 18th as New York comes out to run Prospect Park at the Dow Live Earth Run For Water. 24 hours, hundreds of runs, celebrities, thousands of runners and funds raised to help solve the water crisis. Running or walking 6km makes the realities of water scarcity real.  Make sure you are with us as we highlight this world wide issue that affects all of us.

The New York City Installation of this event will be occurring in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on April 18th. The registration fee is $50 and can be done through the event’s registration page online.Though the money raised from the event will be used to help improve drinking water conditions in various developing countries worldwide, “for each person who registers using Promotional Code “HAITI” Live Earth will make a special extra donation to Global Water Challenge (10% of all entry fees already go to support water projects worldwide – we’ll add $1 for Haiti relief). The special donation will go to Catholic Relief  Services, CARE, Population Services International,  and UNICEF to implement safe drinking water  programs on the ground in Haiti for earthquake survivors.” For the full details, please visit the event page on the Live Earth Website.

The sun was out early, in Washington Heights, on Sunday March 7th, and so were New York City runners. Nearly 6000 runners turned out to participate in the Coogan’s 2010 Salsa, Blues & Shamrocks 5K. The temperature was on the brisk side, but it was perfect for running.

The famed New Balance Track and Field armory was the start and finish of the race. The course went north on Fort Washington, into Ft. Tryon Park, around the Cloisters, then back down Ft. Washington.  As difficult as “out and back” course logistics can be, the NYRR staff pulled it off in perfect form.

Derese Deniboba of NY won the mens’ race with a scorching time of 14:34. For the women, Claudia Camargo was the first to cross the line, scoring a 16:35.

Congratulations to all those who participated in Sunday’s race. Full results can be found here.

Photos from the event can be viewed here.

(All photos by: Zach Tolbert)