Design & Technology

New sounds on the starting line

Shawn Maloney

31 Mar 2026 — 2 min read

Track meets and road races around the world typically start with the sound of a gunshot, airhorn, or cannon.

Unfortunately, what is intended to be an exciting and celebratory moment can be highly triggering for veterans and other people affected by gun violence. An international team of audio researchers and specialists may have a solution.

Alternative start sounds

Last month, World Athletics (the international governing body for track and field, road running, and race walking) voted to allow “alternative start sounds” at their sanctioned events and qualifiers. The amendment was supported by Start Without a Shot, a global collaboration between sound designers, neuroscientists, and race directors to replace the traditional starter pistol with a more trauma-informed approach.

The rule change removes a major administrative hurdle for both local and international races. Running events ranging from Regional Meets to Olympic qualifiers are now free to adopt research-backed alternatives. Kirkland Alexander Lynch, co-founder of Start Without a Shot, explains:

“Sound is incredibly powerful… For decades, the sport has relied on a sound that can be deeply triggering for veterans, refugees, survivors of gun violence, and others. Now, with World Athletics formally allowing alternatives, there is no rule-based reason not to evolve.”

Acoustic awareness

According to Lynch, the movement began in Ukraine during the planning process for the 2024 Kyiv City Marathon. Race officials wanted the event to feel defiant and accessible to all Ukrainians, including members of the military and citizens experiencing PTSD and other disabilities.

The barrier-free race would feature 5k, 10k, 21k, and marathon courses along with accessible ramps, signage, facilities, and sign language interpreters. It would even have a new lighting system to provide a visual cue for runners with hearing-impairments.

But, how would the event start? Organizers quickly realized the problem with starting a race with a gunshot amidst an active war.

American sound design studio Barking Owl was asked to create a more peaceful vibe. They worked with colleagues at Harvard Medical School and the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute to test over 70 different sounds. Neuroscientists attached electrodes to the scalps of runners and spectators to record their brain wave activity and to measure the stress response while listening to each track.

The final result was inspired by the tone of a Trembita, a traditional Ukrainian horn used by shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains. The researchers reported that the new auditory cue reduced stress by seven times compared to the sound of a starting gun.

The movement has garnered a lot of attention in the running industry since its debut in 2024. Runners want to support inclusion and mental health initiatives. Race directors seek unique cultural elements to differentiate their events. And sponsors are interested in using the starting line as another place to develop their own sonic brands.

Maybe it is finally time to replace the starter pistol with something a bit more harmonious.