IAAF World Cross Country - 24th March 2007
Well, did you see that World Cross Country racing yesterday? Mombasa looked nice on the TV but did you see those runners exhausted and collapsing in the Mombasa heat? They must be mad!!
Us Hashers only have half minds but even we know that it is foolish to run around in the afternoon heat, especially at this time of year! That is why we trundle around at a leisurely pace, stopping for a hold now and again, partaking of something refreshing, not getting stressed.
And did you see that Ethiopian fellow? The one that professes to have been given a talent from above and therefore he has to show people how good he is? Well, the arrogant one tried to play with the Eritrean and got a shock, so much so that he wimped out, not even considering his team, unlike the Kenyan runners, who ran as a team and won the gold, good for them!
The next time the IAAF have ideas about performing on the coast here they should consult the Hash House Harriers Religious Advisor who has direct access to the Great Hashman in the Sky. The first thing he would advise is to move the date from March, which could not have been a worse month to choose.
He would also say “Punguza bwana, Mombasa is not a place for charging around at top speed, this is a place for taking it easy, also, why are you running around Mombasa Golf Course in the jua kali, when you can run in the shade? We Hashers can show you so many beautiful leafy trails where you will not get
cooked!
Anyway, I flew back into Mombasa from Maputo, where I had been attending the biennial Pan Africa Hash 2007. Now these guys really know how to organize a sporting event. Great food, an endless supply of beer, nice trails out in the countryside with strategic beer stops, no medals and no competition, perfect. And this lasted for 3 days instead of the IAAF’s pathetic 3 hours!
But when I arrived back in Mtwapa someone had done their best to turn it into Mogadishu. Was it bombed? Was there a coup? Apparently this is supposed to be beautification.
Are the IAAF aware of the disruption to wananachi lives that has been caused by this 3 hour event? Are they aware of the way people have been harassed by the authorities.
Who’s idea was this? How does knocking down a mama’s kiosk reduce the threat of terrorism? Beats me. And what about the people who have lost their livelihoods because of the tinka tinkas and the curfew? Some of them may be tempted to become
wizi, so much for security! It makes you wonder if the terrorists are the ones close to home!
Well, there is another event proposed for Mombasa, in 2010. It is the World Interhash, which takes place every 2 years. In 2006 it was in Thailand. In 2008 it will be in Perth, Australia. Kenya Hashers are hoping to get 2010 and it will attract around 6,000 participants from around the world. These people will stay for more than 3 hours, more like 3 weeks and I can assure the authorities that Hashers will not be happy if night spots close early. They will also not be happy if local peoples’ lives are disrupted. They will want to see Mombasa as it really is, beauty, warts and all.
So, if you want a taste of Hashing:
Next run:
Saturday, March 31st – NGUU TATU Run
Meet: Turkey Bayse, Kiembeni 4PM