It is bad enough that in Delhi we have to Wilt in the heat, Perspire in the humidity, Wheeze in the pollution, and Choke in the dust.
Let us counteract this adversity then by ensuring that we lay good Hash Runs commensurate with the time of year and the area.
It is often stated that there are no rules in the Hash but there is a generally agreed definition of what the objectives of a Hash run are. These are essentially unchanged since the conception of the Hash in 1938 and we should not lose sight of these proud origins and Hash principles.
A “good” Hash run can be described as one that for those hashers prepared to run, even slowly, should all get back to the beer within a few minutes of each other irrespective of their athletic ability.
It should be an hour or so long, have between 5-7 checks, lots of chad and be laid with loads of common sense. The main objective is to slow down the selfish front running bastards (FRB’s) who are 500 metres ahead at every check and call on straight away for their own athletic benefit.
Resist screwing around doing silly diversions and deviations or breaks in the trail between the checks, this may slow down the FRB’s for a few seconds but the main pack bringing up the rear will be held up even more. The trail should be clearly laid and easy to follow, delaying tactics is for the Checks only. Laying a combination of Loops, Back Checks and False Trails will normally do the trick of slowing down the front runners. It is not a pre-requisite that the Hares run with the pack and nor should they need to if the trail is laid properly.
Any intended Hare should have a Co-Hare and preferably one with some experience, Virgin Hares will not be allowed without some guidance. It is the responsibility of any Hare to make the run happen, they must have a Co-Hare to stand in for them should something go wrong.
Unfortunately even the best laid runs can be ruined by the “Hounds”, the 3 biggest sins are:
1. Running blindly off chad, 2. Calling ON too early from a Check, & 3. APPALLING CALLING
ON ON is the hash call and should be used with uninhibited abandon whenever on chad
ON ON is most called when finding the first mark after a check
ON ON keeps the pack together
ON ON is inspirational and encourages the weary
Intended hares may find the guidelines overleaf useful in laying a Hash run based on traditional lines, this should screw the FRB’s (fist priority), and keep the pack together. PTO HASH RUN GUIDELINES
· Quality of run is important, choose an interesting area; go where others have not!
· The trail does NOT have to start at the On-On site - use your imagination
· Try a Point-to-Point run to get into better territory
· Invest some time and Recce your run well, alot of hashers enjoyment depends on it
· Find some green area, tracks, trails and shiggy – hashers do not need to be spoiled
· Have a co-hare, two heads are better than one.
· Runs should be one hour +/- 15 mins:, longer in Winter, shorter in Summer
· Mark the trail well with chad every 15-20 metres, don’t lay it too early, it might blow away
· Hounds should be On when On, lots of chad between checks - this is good for slower runners
· Do not have the “in” and “out” trails too close together – this can be a disaster!
· Don’t start the run with a check, do have a small loop at the start for latecomers
· To keep the pack together you will need between 5 and 7 checks, mark them well
· GOOD CHECKS are essential; they are the heart of a Hash Run
· From a check the trail can start again up to 200 metres away depending on the terrain
· The trail from a check can be to the right, left, straight on or back - no rules here
· Lay a false trail ONLY from a check, mark it well and tell the pack what this mark is
· Let the Hounds find the trail – hares should “sweep” from the back only.
Notes for the Hounds (pack):
# Only run and call ON when you can see chad, don’t believe others
# Slow runners SHOULD NOT check it out, they hang around and stay with someone
# From a false trail mark GO BACK TO THE CHECK and start again
# If you find the trail from a check, let the FRB’s disappear looking elsewhere before you call
Most of all PLEASE call loudly by facing pack, cupping your hands around your mouth, taking up a deep breath, then calling the immortal words: ON ON!
