Course marking a felony?
The Hash House Harriers should consider marking its training courses with something other than flour.
New Haven CT officials overreacted by charging two members of the Harriers with a felony for dumping flour on the ground to mark their running course. Thinking the flour might be a sign of bioterrorism, officials closed a nearby Ikea store while investigators collected and examined the substance.
Harriers caused a similar stir in Chicago several years ago, when dumping of flour alarmed officials and resulted in evacuation of Lincoln Park Zoo. A newspaper reporter who covered the story was a member of the Harriers and explained the harmlessness of the activity. Still, government officials treated it as a potential terrorist act and other media coverage reported their opinions.
So, when marking courses for races or training runs, it is best to use materials that do not trigger the hysteria of observers. It is also wise to place markings that do not make a permanent impression on the pavement or grass. You can spray chalk on the ground (it washes away and doesn't alarm anyone), plant lawn signs at key locations, or temporarily attach arrows to trees or fences. Of course, marshals should also be stationed at turns to direct runners.
The Chicago Harriers still uses flour but has adopted "marking standards" for its use.