Yikes, I experienced first-hand why I never take water at running race aid stations. And a caution for others with allergies running at race events...
don't take the water!I volunteered at a local triathlon yesterday. I was with a group of eight people handing out water and electrolyte beverages to racers on the run course. That sounds all fine, I would guess nobody with allergies would take an electrolyte drink they haven't had before - sure. But I was made very aware of a cross contact danger: the people filling and handing out water cups were munching on mixed TREE NUTS. Lots and lots of nuts. Everywhere. I freaked out and wouldn't let one person unpack the cups from their packaging after I saw him eating a big bag of nuts, and he is a good running friend of mine and went and washed his hands without me asking, which was great. (I was in full hyperawareness panic/guarded mode at that point, and not overly polite...) Throughout the four hours we were there, six of the eight volunteers were all eating nuts or peanut butter sandwiches!! It's a healthy portable snack for athletes, I get it, I don't expect the world to be allergen free, or even those around me. And everyone volunteering at our aid station were multiple Ironman racers, except me. At least the word got around and nobody eating nuts was near me (I asked for two metres, and they were very respectful of that.) But all those cups were contaminated in some way with tree nuts, wheat, and/or peanuts at the very least.
Just a warning for anyone who participates in sports events, and races in particular. Those little water cups could be contaminated with allergens.
That being said, on my last triathlon I wasn't planning to take water from aid stations and I had plenty of water at my transition stop, but I was having an exceptionally bad day and it was hotter than expected, so I risked it and took water - and was ok. I'm considering myself lucky after that, considering yesterday's experience.