Which to be fair is one good thing about it (the pros getting some exclusivity).
However, I do think there should only be a reasonable number of "no photo" races where there are no photos allowed. If kids' parents (or guardians) don't want their kids in photos then they can restrict them to just those. That way they are restricting their own participation, rather than impacting everyone else's. Social media is ubiquitous these days and if you don't like it then I think that's fine, but you have to acknowledge there's a price to pay for that.
I have a pair of good friends who adopted a boy from a very disadvantaged and abusive background. They were basically "in hiding" for 3 years while the fostering took place and then the adoption happened. When he was at parties with our two I was always careful to exclude him from photos because it was so much of an issue. Of course, it's also not the sort of thing to publicise so schools and playgroups have to accommodate those who have very good reason to avoid pictures appearing. Which is why having part of these events as photo-friendly and part as "no photos allowed" seems like a reasonable compromise. I would expect parents would also be a lot more adherent to the no photos rule if they knew there would be a later (or early) part where it was allowed.
I've yet to see a "no photos" event which hasn't had parents getting their phones out throughout snapping away. And I'm sure the pictures appear on facebook etc., so better to take a more balanced approach which allows those who have really good reason to avoid it still to enjoy at least part of it. And for the rest of us to be able to take pictures of our kids at a fairly important time...
