ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute<BR><super>22nd</super> annual Potomac River Run Marathon & Half

ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute
22nd annual Potomac River Run Marathon & Half

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ACE
ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute

22nd annual

POTOMAC RIVER RUN MARATHON & HALF
Saturday, May 3, 2025
8:00 AM FULL MARATHON
9:00 AM HALF MARATHON
On the historic C&O Canal Towpath


Start & finish at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road, Washington DC
The Easiest Trail Marathon & Half in America -- Come see why!
www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon

Commemorating World Laughter Day We invite you to join us in 2025!
Open to:
Runners of all levels of ability who can coverbluecourse in less than 6 hours
Limited to the first 350 entrants

  • Entry fees:
    •
    • Non-Members:
    • Now $70.00
    • On or after 7/1/2024 - $80.00
    • On or after 1/1/2025 - $90.00
    • On or after 3/1/2025 - $100.00
    • On or after 4/1/2025 - $125.00
    • On or after 4/15/2025 - $250.00

    • Members of supporting clubs or active duty military
    • Now $60.00
    • On or after 7/1/2024 - $70.00
    • On or after 1/1/2025 - $80.00
    • On or after 3/1/2025 - $90.00
    • On or after 4/1/2025 - $100.00
    • On or after 4/15/2025 - $250.00

  • Enter on-line for the marathon / half, for the pre-race dinner, for the race-day cab ride, or as a sponsor

  • Thank you for entering the 22nd annual Potomac River Run Marathon!

  • Confirm your registration

  • First race of SHF 2025 Grand Prix series:
    • If you complete 22st Potomac River Run, 18th Abebe Bikila Day International Peace, and 22½th Potomac River Run (either half or full marathon), you are entered in SHF's 2025 Grand Prix Series
    • $100 cash award to anyone who completes all three SHF half or full marathons in 2025 - May 3, September 6, and October 18

  • 2025 Boston Marathon Qualifier
    • The course is almost totally flat, 100% unpaved gravel except for about 50 meters across a wooden footbridge and about 50 meters of concrete under the I-495 Capital Beltway to prevent erosion. No roads, no crossings, no hills.
    • Scenic with beautiful views of the Potomac River - tree-lined - shaded - out'n'back
    • Start and finish at Fletcher's Cove | 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
    • USATF-certified half / full marathon course DC21001RT
    • Color Map | DOC | PDF | Color Map | GMAP
    • Full & Half Marathon
    • Your choice -- 26.2 miles or 13.1 miles
    • Both are USATF-certified
    • The full marathon is a qualifier for Boston Marathon + Chicago, Houston, and New York Marathons
    • The half marathon is a qualifier for Chicago, Houston, and New York Marathons
    • The half marathon is a qualifier for Chicago, Houston, New York
    • When you register, you can select which distance you want to run, same price
    • You may change later between 8:00 AM FULL and 9:00 AM HALF start
    • The course is out'n'back once for the half marathon, twice for the full marathon
    • Aid stations with water, Gatorade, friendly volunteers, and toilets at
    • Start / midpoint / finish at Fletcher's Cove - Mile 0.0, 13.1, and 26.2 (permanent and portable toilets)
    • Lock 5 - Mile 2.0, 11.1, 15.1, 24.2 (portable toilet across C&O Canal)
    • Lock 7 - Mile 4.0, 9.1, 17.1, 22.2
    • Lock 10 - Mile 6.0, 7.1, 19.1, 20.2

    • Spectator access at the aid stations and also at
    • Chain Bridge - Mile 1.0, 12.1, 14.1, 25.2
    • Lock 6 - Mile 2.2, 10.9, 15.3, 24.0
    • Lock 8 - Mile 5.0, 8.1, 18.1, 21.2
    • Lock 9 - Mile 5.5, 7.6, 18.6, 24.7
    • Turnaround point - Mile 6.6 and 19.7
    • The locks are accessible from EASTBOUND Clara Barton Parkway only
    • You pass 4 aid stations a total of 15 times. | MAPS
    • Course elevation profile: -------------------------------
    • Highest point is 44m above sea level, lowest point is 12m above sea level
    • Enjoy a lovely day on the C&O Canal Towpath!
    • See displays about the historic C&O Canal before & after race
    • Read about the history of the C&O Canal Towpath:

  • Packet Pick-ups:
    • Early birds: ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute donates spiffy green souvenir bags, which we assemble on Thursday, May 1, from 2:00 PM to 6:45 PM at their office at 2841 Hartland Rd, #401B, Falls Church VA 22043, on the first block north of Lee Highway (Route 29) just inside the I-495 Capital Beltway
    • Please come to ACE on Thursday, May 1, from 2:00 PM to 6:45 PM, to help assemble souvenir bags and to pick up your bag, t-shirt, and bib number early.

    • Pre-race: Packet pickup at Pacers Running Store of Clarendon at 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA 22201, welcomes us for packet pick-up on Friday, May 2, from 12:00 noon to 5:45 PM, inside the store
    • Buy something while you are there!

    • Race Day:
    • You may pick up your bib number, t-shirt, and goodie bag
    • on race-day, Saturday, May 3, 7:15 AM to 8:45 AM, at Fletcher's Cove at the picnic tables

  • Pre-race dinner:
    • Friday, May 2, at 6:15 PM at Big Tony's Pizzeria
    • 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, two doors west of Pacers
    • $10 in advance, $15 at the door -- all you can eat) at 6:15 PM
    • Meet other runners and share your stories
    • Meet guest speaker Dr. Ben Pearl, DPM -- podiatrist, runner, bicyclist, body builder -- The Footman Runneth | "How to prevent & cure foot injuries"
    • Friends and family are welcome
    • Buy tickets for our pre-race dinner

  • Reserve a seat on our race-day Red Top Cab service
    • Saturday, May 3, departing at 7:00 AM from the host hotel, Marriott Crystal City, 1999 Richmond Highway, Arlington VA
    • Arriving 7:20 AM to Fletcher's Cove
    • Including round-trip available after you finish
    • Whenever we have passengers, we call Red Top Cab for your round-trip ride back to our host hotel
    • Route map
    • Buy tickets for your pre-race cab service

  • Both the dinner and the cab ride are open to family members and friends as well as race entrants

  • Our host hotel is Marriott Crystal City near Reagan National Airport, 1999 Richmond Highway, Arlington VA (703-413-5500)
  • Use group code "M-TSULDW5, SHF Room Block" @ $229.00 per night, check in on or after 5/01/2025, check out 05/04/2025
  • Cutoff Date: Friday, March 24, 2025
  • If you buy the cab ticket, please be at Marriott Crystal City by 7:00 AM to get to the 8:00 AM start -->
  • Volunteer:
    • Sign up as a volunteer
    • You can select to support any of our beneficiary charities, or as a volunteer for Safety And Health Foundation
    • All the locations are mapped on this web page
    • You get one of our colorful t-shirts
    • Volunteer instructions

  • Race-Day:
    • Pick up your bib number, goodie bag, and t-shirt on Saturday, May 3, from 7:15 AM to 8:45 AM, on-site at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road, Washington DC 22207
    • Race-day packet pick-up and bag check at the picnic tables down the stairs in the lower parking lot
    • Races start at the top of the stairs on the gravel trail.

  • Chip Timing:
    • A small waterproof plastic bag is stapled to the back of your bib number.
    • That's the automatic RFID timing chip that feeds data to WebScorer®.
    • Please DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE! DO NOT DESTROY THE TIMING CHIP OR RUN A SAFETY PIN THROUGH IT!
    • We collect those chips post-race to re-use at future races. They are costly.
    • After you finish, leave the timing chip intact, attached to the back of the name tag at the bottom of your bib number, and give the chip and tag to the finish line official
    • Then receive your finisher's medallion, hand-strung on a colorful ribbon

    • In addition, as a back-up, we collect the name tag at the bottom of your bib number on a stringer to ascertain the order of finish, so please co-operate with the finish line volunteers.
    • In addition, as a back-up, we transcribe your bib number in a Time Machine (r) hooked directly to the computer under the text at the finish line.
    • After every 50 finishers, we print a finisher list. Consult the printed lists for your time and place. DO NOT HARRASS THE PEOPLE UNDER THE TENT AT THE RESULTS TABLE!

    • We broadcast the finish times directly and instantly to www.webscorer.com® which emails your results to you in real time.
    • For a link to live results, go to www.webscorer.com/shfresults

  • Post-race:
    • Right after your finish, we honor you with a medallion printed by Dan Kain Trophies
    • We try to present awards immediately after you finish, so please listen for the presentation
    • After your get your medal,
    • Get some refreshments under our recovery tent on the C&O Canal Towpath, and then walk down the stairs to our post-race picnic
      for refreshments courtesy of Big Tony's Pizzeria, Dunkin Donuts bagels, and energy bars and fresh fruit from Trader Joe's

  • Awards:
    • 8:00 AM Full Marathon Awards: $250 to 1st, $150 to 2nd, $100 to 3rd overall M/F; commemoratives to 1st, 2nd, 3rd by 10-year age-group M/F in the 8:00 competitive start
    • 9:00 AM Half Marathon Awards: Commemoratives to 1st, 2nd, 3rd M/F overall and 1st, 2nd, 3rd by 10-year age-group M/F
    • Finisher certificates by e-mail on request

  • This year's commemoratives:

  • Directions
    • To drive to Fletcher's Cove from Georgetown, head west on M Street.
    • Cross Foxhall Road. M Street becomes Canal Road.
    • Continue west for 1.5 miles on Canal Road to the sign for Fletcher's Cove on the left.
    • CAREFULLY cross the westbound lane to turn onto the driveway.
    • Stay right and follow the tunnel under the C&O Canal to free parking.
    • Alternatively, turn right onto Reservoir Road and park free on any neighborhood street.
    • Please carpool or use our Facebook page to share rides, thoughts, and photos!
    • Civil Twilight at 5:41 AM, Sunrise at 6:09 AM

  • On-site Parking:
    • Parking is free but limited to 385 cars at Fletcher's Cove (see below).
    • Once parking at Fletcher's is filled, cars must turn right onto Reservoir Road and park free on-street.
    • If you take a cab, from westbound Canal Road, ask the driver to drop you off at Reservoir Road, at the entrance to Fletcher's Cove
    • Restrooms are on-site at Fletcher's Cove

  • Drop-off instructions
    • Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove
    • Your best choice is to have a friend drop you off at the intersection of Canal Road and Reservoir Road
    • then have your friend go to one of the locks to watch you
    • Parking and spectator access is free at Chain Bridge, Locks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, all accessible from EASTBOUND Clara Barton Parkway.
    • Please be careful when you cross Canal Road.

  • Off-Site Parking Options

  • T-shirts designed by Karla McDuffie
    • Printed by LynnPro | Get them at packet pick-up
    • Click image to view in full screen

      2024-front
      Front

      2024-back
      Back

  • We thank our charity volunteers:

  • Race-Day Schedule:
    • 7:00 AM - On-Site packet pick-up opens
    • 7:30 and 8:30 AM - Certified Laughter Yoga leader Diane Cohen leads two rounds of Laughter Yoga in honor of World Laughter Day, started by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. The day is now celebrated on first Sunday of May worldwide.
    • Diane studied Laughter Yoga became a Certified Laughter Leader from Leigh Meredith of Yoga Laughs

    • 7:45 AM - 21-time Potomac River Run Marathon finisher Michael Creadon plays the National Anthem on trumpet
    • 8:00 AM - Full marathon starts
    • 8:30 AM -- Second Laughing warm-up begins
    • 9:00 AM - Half marathon starts
    • 9:15 AM - First half marathoners finish
    • 9:20 AM - First full marathoners make the midpoint at Fletcher's Cove
    • 12:00 noon - Last half marathoners finish
    • 2:00 PM - Last full marathoners finish
  • Celebrating
  • 2024 Results:
  • Join us as a sponsor for 2025!

  • We thank our 2024 sponsors:
  • Past years' results:

  • We thank our team of volunteers and staff:

  • Questions?      

  • Race-Day Announcer:

  • Benefits

  • When you register, you may include an additional donation to Buy A Brick Foundation

  • Buy a Brick Foundation news:
    • Leigh and Gib Leonard, Founding Director of The Buy a Brick Foundation have been in Zimbabwe Africa for the past week on a 5-month mission.
    • We have been working in Zimbabwe for the past 20 Years.
    • Things are going very very well on the newly established projects, but keep in mind it is desperate here as the drought continues into its sixth year.
    • The people of Zimbabwe "THANK YOU" for all you do. These marathon races have been a big Supporter of Buy a Brick Foundation for more than a Decade.
    • The support has truly made a DIFFERENCE in the lives of THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS.
    • We completed construction of Leona Clinic, and we have started on another, called Batoka Clinic.
    • Along with these clinics, we have built over 39 school blocks and established 18 large community gardens that offer the opportunity for over 10,000 people to have year-round crop rotation.
    • The community garden projects have been a major success, and we are looking to expand the numbers.
    • The Batoka Clinic will be able to treat thousands of people in the rural bush villages just as Leona Clinic does today.
    • On our trip over in April 2024, we carried donated medical bags from Project C.U.R.E
    • We hope we can partner with Project C.U.R.E. and have containers of medical supplies shipped to Zimbabwe in the future, as it is so desperately needed.
    • April 2024 - The BIGGEST need is water. Our goal is to start pumping water from the mighty Zambezi River inland to the rural bush communities where there is No Water. This is an absolute emergency project.
    • We need to raise $250,000 for these water projects and hope to have multiple projects completed within the next couple months.
      -- Gib Leonard, www.BuyaBrickFoundation.org> www.BuyaBrickFoundation.org
  • Charitable Giving
    • Three times a year, at each marathon in May, September, and October, we donate $8000 to Buy A Brick Foundation, $1400 to Marathon Charity Cooperation, and $600 to DC Capital Striders, a member of Road Runners Club of America
    • In September, we donate $2000 to Upendo Educational Foundation

    • On December 3, 2020, Giving Tuesday, we donated $4000 of expected net proceeds of our marathon not held on May 3, 2020, to Buy A Brick Foundation so it would get doubled by Facebook, then doubled again by a private donor
    • We shared our love in the time of coronavirus

    • In 2011-2017, we also supported American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti
    • On May 1, 2017, we donated $10, and we gratefully acknowledge the contribution from Lisa Totten
    • On April 22, 2015, we donated $225, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Jim Amrhein, Holly Dubbeling, Elisabeth Mueller, Mary Beth Owens, Ann Marie Terzaken, Scott S. Thomas, Phoebe Uricchio, and John Wood
    • On December 27, 2014, we donated $150, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Albert Avila, Mary H. Ester, Craig Odell, Tim Rooney, and Lynn Stapp
    • On May 5, 2014, we donated $145, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Mehdi S. Cherqaoui, Jeff Duyn, Annie Lowrey, Zachary Maxcey, Mark John Rolincik, and Ginger Elaine Zarse
    • On May 6, 2013, we donated $100, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Roberto Sidoti, Paula C. Bamford, Audrey Fincher, and Luke Mitchell
    • On May 5, 2013, we donated $1,000 to One Fund Boston in memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and in support of the many who were injured
    • On May 7, 2012, we donated $225, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Madeline A. Blobe, Elizabeth Clor, Kevin Foley, Laura Huffman, Stephen Roberts, Joanne B. Sechrest, Ryan Earl Schmidt, and Oskar Tiger
    • On May 2, 2011, we donated $100, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from John Batley, Katherine Anne Gergen Barnett, Hannah Kojm, and Robert Ian McDonald

  • FAQ:
    • Q. Will water and athletic drinks be passed out in paper cups or in bottles?
    • A. At the aid stations, both water and Gatorade will be in paper cups. Before the start, we offer free samples of CarbBoom®. Before the start and after the finish, we offer Simone Super Energy®.
    • Q. Do you recycle / re-use?
    • A. Yes. Please dispose of cups and bottles in our marked recycling boxes. Please deposit banana peels and other food waste in our marked composting boxes. We re-use unclaimed bib numbers from previous years
    • Q. Where will drinks be passed out?
    • A. At the start / midpoint / finish at Fletcher's Cove and at each aid station at Lock 5, Lock 7, and Lock 10.
    • Q. What time is the start time for the race?
    • A. The full marathon starts at 8:00 AM, and the half marathon starts at 9:00 AM.
    • Q. Is the full marathon a Boston qualifier?
    • A. Yes, and we send results to Boston Athletic Association about a week after the race.
    • Q. Is the half of full marathon a qualifier for anything else?
    • A. Yes, and results are available on-line for verification required for qualifiers for Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York City marathons -- also Olympic Trials during qualifying years
    • Q. What are the full marathon awards?
    • A. In the 8:00 AM full marathon: $250 for 1st M/F overall, $150 for 2nd M/F overall, and $100 for 3rd M/F overall, plus your choice of SHF items or store certificates for top 3 M/F in age groups 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over
    • Q. What are the half marathon awards?
    • A. In the 9:00 AM half marathon: your choice of SHF items or store certificates for top 3 M/F overall and in age groups 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over
    • Q. If I want to start the half marathon at 8:00 AM, is that OK?
    • A. Yes, but no awards in the 8:00 AM half marathon
    • Q. When should I arrive?
    • A. Please arrive a half hour before your start. If you pick up your packet on Thursday or Friday, then you don't have to stand in line on Saturday. If you don't, please allow 10 extra minutes to get your packet.
    • Q. What about parking?
    • A. We only have about 385 spaces at Fletcher's Cove, and we want to leave some spaces for other park users. Fletcher's Cove has two parking areas. After you enter the driveway toward Fletcher's Cove, look to your left. The upper lot has about 85 parking spaces. Those spaces fill quickly. Now look to your right. You see a tunnel that goes under C&O Canal and C&O Towpath. Carefully enter the tunnel and drive through it to a lower lot with about 300 parking spaces. Once we fill all the parking at Fletcher's Cove (maybe 7:15 AM), a US Park Police officer directs cars to turn right on Reservoir Road towards free on-street parking at The River School, on W Street, Hutchins Street, Bending Lane, Reservoir Road, and MacArthur Boulevard, 0.3 to 0.7 miles away.
    • Alternatively, please take our Red Top Cab from Marriott Crystal City or car-pool to minimize parking delays.
    • Q. May I carry water or wear a hydration belt?
    • A. For sure! But won't it slow you down? We have aid stations with water and Gatorade roughly every two miles.
    • Q. Do you accept self-measurement using GPS?
    • A. To be fair, no. We expect everyone to run the same course, USATF-certified to be accurate to the nearest meter.

  • Keepers:
    • Goodie bag with samples, coupons, & gift certificates Medal
    • Race refreshments, finisher's medal, and post-race picnic immediately after the finish line
    • Colorful, technical wicking t-shirt by LynnPro

  • Past years' t-shirts:

  • Press Room
    • Alexander Medeiros joins the Tammy Massie Fan Club. He wrote:
      This was my first marathon. Before this, the longest I had ever ran at once was 6 miles. My first impressions: A marathon is grueling, hellish, torturous, absurd, insane... and I'm glad I did it! On the last leg (last 7 miles) I was walking with care to avoid impact sending waves of pain from my feet to my head. The very same care I had taken for the previous 5 miles before a woman started passing me with a pace not much greater than a walk. I thought to myself... maybe I can keep that pace! So I started moving at a pace not much greater than a walk beside this woman as she asked, "do you want any nutter butters?"
      Shocked, stalled, stunned - I chuckled to myself as she had a back-pack on with beanie babies and a full pink get-up.
      Doesn't this hurt and slow you down, I thought to myself?
      I replied, "no thanks, haha, I can't believe you're able to do this with a backpack on, I can't even run this with a shirt on!"
      I told her, "a mile back I was repeating to myself, 'If you can move, you can finish! If you can move, you can finish' until I saw you pass me and you inspired me to pick up the pace."
      We started introducing ourselves and talking about work, life, etc. as I thought to myself, "if I can keep my mind off the pain shooting down my neck, lower back, abs, chest, quads, abductors, knees, calves, feet, and toes, maybe I can finish!"
      I was awe-struck as Tammy was able to keep a consistent tone and conversational tempo on the last 7 miles of a marathon before she casually elaborated about a marathon she ran THE DAY PRIOR.
      We were at the 24.5 mile mark when I had to interrupt her, "I think I need to walk again." I'm not sure what I wanted from that sentence. I sort of wanted her to say, we could do that, or we could keep running with an emphasis on keep running. She replied, "if you think you should walk, you should walk, but if you think you can keep running, we're a couple miles out and you could get sub 6 hours if you keep this pace." It was precisely what I needed to hear. I say, "please don't walk just to keep with me, but I think I'm gonna walk a little." I said that as I didn't want to hold her back, but in the back of my mind, I wanted desperately for her to keep coaching me. The pain was agonizing at the 16 mile mark... this was torture, but listening to the life stories of a marathon veteran kept me moving faster than I thought possible.
      Tammy asked a half mile later, "do you think you can run now?" and I replied, "I thought I was going to be walking the entire last 7 miles, so this is already more than I thought I'd be doing, but... if you run... I'll run!" Tammy picked our pace up and kept the conversation up to match! A few minutes and a few more stories passed before I interrupted again and asked, "how long do you think we have left?" She replied, "maybe 400 meters."
      I thought to myself, "...I don't know what 400 meters is..." and told her, "sorry to cut you off! I think I'm gonna try running the rest!" She replied, "Do it! Go Alex, go!"
      I entered a full-stride stance and for whatever reason starting yelling at myself, "come on!" "come on!" "hup! hup! hup!" I was 100 feet from the finish line when it felt as though my ribs were collapsing in on themselves. I had to stop and I started walking. A few seconds later, I hear Tammy saying from maybe 200 ft back, "Go Alex! Go!" and I ran across the finish line! Tammy approached the finish line with another person she started talking with between me finishing and her finishing. (What an inviting personality!) She told me, "you set the bar high for your first marathon! Sub 6 hours is great for your first time out!"
      I told her, "I couldn't have done it without you! You're incredible, thank you so much for coaching me. I can't describe how much you helped me!"
      If it weren't for Tammy I would have ended 40 minutes later than I had. Tammy is an amazing woman who helped in precisely the ways I needed help. There's a quote I heard many years ago and tell myself often, "alone you'll go fast, together you'll go far." It was a couple miles before the last leg when I told myself this and thought - I need to make a friend. If I'm gonna make it out of here - I'm going to need a friend. Tammy was that person. In those moments of true torture, Tammy was there to keep my spirits up. Tammy was my friend that carried me out of hell with a smile on her face. Thank you Tammy. I don't want to draw this out, but to make a generalization - when we suffer - the connections we make are very strong. I write this last paragraph holding back a tear because the emotion attached to this woman's rallying cry to push me forward. The mentors and teachers that help us on our path have lasting impressions.
      This human condition may be damning at times, but it is with friends, mentors, students, and in general, relationships that we may pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and continue down a rewarding albeit torturous path.
    • P.S. whoever reviews these, I can only hope you know who this Tammy person is and may pass this along to her. I will never forget my first marathon.

  • Other news:

  • Headphones and water belts
    • Re personal listening devices, we follow USATF rule 144.3.b (Assistance to Athletes):
    • The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or communications devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an LDR event may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of receiving communication; however, those competing in championships for awards, medals, or prize money may not use such devices.
    • Because we must be able to communicate instructions to you at certain points in our races, we specifically allow wearing headphones during the race, but we specifically prohibit wearing headphones at these points:
    • Start line
    • Aid stations
    • Turnaround 1
    • Midpoint
    • Turnaround 2
    • Finish line

    • Since we offer prize money ($250, $150, $100 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd M/F), we ask you to follow this rule: If you expect to finish in the money, please don't wear headphones. Because of the specificity of Rule 144.3.b, we must disqualify potential money-winners whom we see wearing headphones or other two-way devices such as cell phones and the new talking wristbands. Sorry about that.