BRIEF | AN EVENT DESTINED TO RUN AND RUN
The Colour Run is an event series and paint race over five kilometres inspired by the Hindu festival of Holi that is owned and operated by a US-based limited company. They take place throughout north and south America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the UAE among others. Races are untimed, there are no winners or prizes, the only real rule is
that runners are showered with coloured powder, made of food-grade corn starch at strategically placed stations. In 2014, the year the first night event was introduced, it was held 300 times in over 50 countries. The following year it was held 112 times in the US, seven in the UK, six in Australia, and four times in China. Apart from earning the backing of major international sponsors it was also said to have increased participation in running as a sport. According to Running USA, non-traditional running events increased from the low six figures in 2009 to more than four million by 2013. About six in ten entrants had never run a 5K. Most were brand new runners of all ages.
not limited to identifying which substances are harmful and putting measures in place to prevent exposure but extend to training and health monitoring. And the list of materials is extensive, ranging from not only dusts and powders but paints, cleaners, fumes and liquids, gels and powders. Micro-organisms can cause infections, allergic reactions and some are extremely toxic. A post last year by Harvard Health even looked at the potentially negative effects of using protein powder, something generally seen as having a health benefit, especially by those intent on building and maintaining muscle, bone strength and numerous body functions. But it went on to give a warning of potential health risks, quoting registered dietitian Kathy McManus, director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who went as far as saying: “I don’t recommend using protein powders except in a few instances, and only with supervision.” The products in question were powdered forms of
protein that come from plants such as soybeans, peas, rice, potatoes, or hemp, or eggs, or milk in the case of casein or whey products. The powders may include other ingredients such as added sugars, artificial flavouring, thickeners, vitamins, and minerals. The amount of protein per scoop can vary from 10 to 30 grams. As for the risks, the Harvard letter pointed out that the Federal Drug Administration leaves it up to manufacturers
to evaluate the safety and labelling of products. So, there’s no way of checking if a protein powder contains what manufacturers claim. And McManus added: “There are limited data on the possible side effects of high protein intake from supplements.”
One possible side-effect is digestive distress. “People with dairy allergies or trouble digesting lactose [milk sugar] can experience gastrointestinal discomfort if they use a milk- based protein powder.” Then there’s talcum powder. Talc is a naturally occurring silicate mineral mined from rock deposits in the Earth’s crust. Manufacturers crush, dry and mill it into a fine, soft, white powder which serves as a lubricant and adds softness and shine to products. It prevents caking, absorbs moisture and makes products feel silky. This makes it a common ingredient in cosmetics, food additives and industrial products. And while talc is generally considered safe, some studies linked the fine powder to health problems, and safety concerns led to a number of legal cases in the US. Many were thrown out and other studies debunked some of the theories behind them. But they did raise questions the powder industry could do without. And they demonstrated once again that where powders are concerned, safety is always a consideration. That is one of the reasons it will always find itself high on the Powtech agenda - and why it will remain there.
“any strong chemicals used by chemical scientists tend tO have sPecific exposure limits and procedures for avoidinG contamination... THIS LEVEL OF VIGILANCE DOESN’T OCCUR WITH EXCESSIVE USE OF REGULAR IRRITANTS AND CHEMICALS“
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