Hash Chapters all over the world
have their own guide for setting runs and they vary from short runs where
hashers walk/run with umbrellas to killer runs that put a lot of people off. We
have included here the run guide of Petaling Hash House Harriers of Kuala
Lumpur, whose members set most of the runs at Interhash '98 which were enjoyed
by many.
The objective of the Hare is to provide all
runners in attendance with approximately 60 - 75 minutes of interesting
running over varied terrain, with the entire pack finishing within 20
minutes of each other. No one should become lost if they followed the trail.
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Select a site for the run which is varied in
terrain, has easy access, good parking for 30 - 40 cars and the stout wagon
and is well away (½ km at least) from the nearest human habitation. Try to
keep driving time from KL to runsite no more than 1¼ hours. If possible or
necessary, get the owner's permission to use his property for the run. Also
please avoid parking along main roads. (Back
to title)
Notify the On-Sex as soon as possible of your
proposed runsite so that the location can be published in the Hareline. This
would ensure that everyone is aware of the location and prevent hares using
the same area in successive weeks. Endeavour to find out from the On-Sex if
any other hash chapters will be using the same area at about the same time.
If so, co-ordinate with the chapter involved and ensure that your trails are
quite distinctive from the other paper in the area.
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Directions to the runsite should be given o
the On-Sex no less than 3 weeks before the run. Directions should be clear
with no possibility of being misunderstood. Km readings would help. Always
give alternative routes if they exist. Do not just say follow HHH signs if
major intersections are involved as signs can be blown away, etc. Directions
should be with km readings right up to the runsite, but if you intend asking
members to follow HHH signs say from the entrance to an estate, etc., please
give an approximate distance to the car park. This will ensure that members
give themselves enough time to get to the car park.
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Always use a co-hare. Never venture to recce
or set a run on your own for safety reasons and to ensure that the co-hare
can set the run if you are unable to on the scheduled date. If you are new,
select an experienced hasher as a co-hare. The hare, however is responsible
for all aspects of the run, including the payment of any fines.
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Recce the intended run thoroughly with the
co-hare, keeping the comments below in mind. A good run normally requires 4
- 5 recces at least. From the preliminary recce to the final pilot trail,
you should try to pick out convenient check points, obvious tracks for back
trails, etc. The recce should allow for loops so that slow runners can cut
straight across to catch up. (Back to title)
The normal length of the run should be between
8km and 10km. The length should be long enough to give the pack enough
distance to perspire and to play around with the checks. A rough guide is
that walking the course non stop should take you about 2 to 2½ hours.
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An ideal run should have stretches of running
of about 1 km each between checks and interspersed with the usual hill
climb, slog through shiggy or jungle, etc. Hills should be used sparingly,
no more than 2 major hills (a climb of more than 100 meters) or 4 minor
hills (not more than 50 meters). The more running, the better as long as
checks are employed to keep the pack together (see "CHECKS" below). The
final run in should be at least 1½km of relatively flat country, clear
underfoot, but if possible avoid sealed roads and definitely busy roads.
Vary the direction of your trail so that it is not obvious which general
direction your trail is taking and to prevent S.C.B's from hitting your home
trail. (Back to title)
The purpose of the check is to allow the rear
of the pack to catch up with the FROPs. A normal run requires 6 - 9 checks.
Vary the direction of the new trails from the check. Do not consistently
start the new trails forward of the check. Use more back checks to allow the
pack in the rear to catch up. Checks are marked by one dozen or so pieces of
paper in a small circle. The new trail should start between 75 meters
(jungle) to 150 meters (open country) from the check. Hounds, please note,
if you do not find any paper forward after 150 meters double back and check
in another direction. Do not continue running forward as you might hit the
IN trail and screw up the whole run. Do not lay a difficult check towards
the end of the run. (Back to title)
False trails are not more than 150 meters long
and they terminate without a check. A false trail means, "Go back to the
check and look again in another direction". The real trail is to be found
about 75 - 150 meters from the check, as in para 9. A loop check is designed
to get the FROPs to loop for about 400 - 500 meters (usually round a hill)
and come back to a check within 20 - 30 meters of the trail they were on
where the rear runners can see the FROPs.
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Paper is to be 100mm by 100mm (4" x 4") or
slightly larger, glossy paper of good quality if there is no other paper
trails in the area. If there are other old paper trails in the area, you may
have to use paper of different shape (triangles, etc.) or paper of other
bright colours. Poor quality paper curls up with moisture and is invisible.
Paper should be laid every 3 or 4 paces in open terrain and every pace in
jungle or covered terrain. Also mark logs, holes, fences or barbed wire,
etc. with plenty of paper, especially towards the end of the run. More paper
should be laid at the ed of the run than the start but be conscious of the
environment. The paper trail should start from the Hare's car at the
nominated parking area. It has been customary to display paper to be used on
the windscreen of the hare's car. (Back to
title)
Start laying the trail at least 2 to 3 hours
before the run. This should give you enough time to lay the checks
carefully, which is important. Wait at the last check at least 15 minutes
after the run has started before laying the final OUT trail from the last
check back to the car park. Try and avoid running through through kampungs
or human habitation to avoid kampung kids re-laying or removing the paper,
etc. Keep your IN and OUT trails well separated to avoid over eager
achievers stumbling on your OUT trail. (Back
to title)
It is strictly forbidden for the hare or
co-hare to be at the starting area prior to the beginning of the run. Also
the hare and co-hare should make sure that they are not caught by the pack
during the run. Either of the above occurrences results in a fine.
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The hare and co-hare must remain at the finish
until all runners have returned. If any runners have not returned with 3½
hours of the start of the run, then the hare and co-hare with the help of
available committee members must organise search parties.
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An integral part of the run is the DOUBLE ON
ON. Double ON ON's are normally arranged by the hare at some convenient
restaurant close to the runsite. The hare can of course vary this by
arranging for the for the Double ON ON at the site or organise something
special. The hare as the host of the day must attend the Double ON ON to
complete his/her responsibility. The object of having a Double ON ON is to
get members to know each other better and socialise. The hare can at his/her
convenience organise the Triple ON ON at either a pub or their home or
whatever. (Back to title)
This article has been copied
unashamedly, but with permission, from sim campbell @
www.geocities.com/malaysiahhh.
However parts of the article had been unceremoniously altered and and where
appropriate, some additional bull shit had been laid.
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