What's Hash | Guidelines for setting a Hash | Hash signs | Hash Jargon
Inform Hashers: Don’t forget to draw a simple map and write some instructions on how to get to the Hash run location. This information needs to be passed to the Web-Scribe (or Assistant) preferably by the Thursday before the Hash so that it can be e-mailed out to everyone on the preceding Friday.
If the run is from a restaurant and food will cost more than Sh 150 then please advise in good time so that Hashers will bring the right money to pay the Hash Recorder.
Reconnoitre! You can’t set a good Hash on the day of the run. You must take time to recce the route with the co-hares, ideally over two or three weeks.
Ask for help: If you need help or are not certain, ask the Trailmasters for their help. Or ask a fellow Hasher.
The Run Design: Ideally all Hashers should run together on the same single run (no separate long and short). What you should try to do is to make all fit and fast runners run false trails and loops (preferably without any separate markings for long or short). The normal Hasher should be able to jog along and continuously catch up with the fast runners at checkpoints. You are encouraged to keep the runners off busy roads. And try to run on footpaths rather than pavements.
Run Length: The basic course without false trails or loops should be 4-5 km. This is 35-40 minutes of slow and steady jogging. Remember that if you are traversing bush, swamp and fencing, what might take you 5 minutes to jog and crawl will take the Hash much longer. With good false trails and loops the fast runners should be running about 7 km. Most importantly, no run should end in the dark. So with a 17.45 start, the runners should not be out for more than 50-55 minutes.
Hold: Hashing is about running together and the purpose of a hold is to gather together all Hashers. The best time for a hold is usually after ⅔ of the run. A good run will see most of the fast runners coming to the hold last and not first. It is nice - but not necessary - to provide watermelon/pineapple/water/beer at the hold.
Marking the trail: Use lime/chalk to mark your trail. This can be purchased from nearly all hardware stores for under Sh 500 per 20 kg. Smaller quantities can usually be purchased. 4-5 kg of chalk is needed to properly mark a trail, including the false trails and loops. Properly placed, a pile of chalk powder will survive a medium downpour. Flour will not, and is also likely to be eaten by ants and goats, (using food to mark a trail is not cool). If you are running on roads, select the widest/best path for the Hashers to run on but try to make sure that the Hashers are facing oncoming traffic (marks on the right-hand side). Chalk marks should be placed about every 30-35 paces. This distance can be increased after a check so as to confuse the Hashers. Checks are indicated with a large circle (ask the Trailmaster about titty checks, etc). It is after the check that you can set a false trail. A false trail can be as long as you want and well marked with several chalk marks. However, you must indicate the end of the false trail with two lines across the trail. This means that the runners must go back to the checkpoint to find the correct trail. After a check you can also mislead the Hashers by placing one or two chalk marks down roads or paths with no other marks. But as soon as you place a third mark the Hashers are on the trail. Just remember that any "on trail" can still turn into a false trail with two lines across the path. A loop will make the fast front running bastards (FRBs) run along the trail and bring them back close to the normal Hashers after a relatively short time period. One example of a loop would be to have the fast runners run 300 metres up one side of a hedge and down the other side on the way back making it unnecessary for the normal Hasher to make the 600 metre journey up and down.
Sweeping the trail: The hare should arrange with the Trailmaster for a sweeper of the trail. If there is a long and short split you will need a long and short sweeper. If the hare runs the trail she/he can sweep. Unless the Hashers get truly lost the hare should not show the way. However, the hare/sweeper should carry a small amount of chalk so that he/she can place an arrow on the check circle to indicate the correct direction after the main Hash has passed the check. This will help latecomers or lost runners to catch up to the rest of the Hash without spending too much time finding the correct trail.
The Food: You are expected to provide food after the run for at least 20 Hashers. Over the last couple of years the average number of runners has been 28. You can make whatever you like but ensure that you have some vegetarian food. Currently we recommend you cater for about 3 vegetarians. Ask the Trailmaster at least one week beforehand how many people have been coming to the Hash for the last couple of weeks, as you may be expected to cater for 30 or more if attendances have been high. Also check the numbers at the beginning of the run in case you need to increase the volume of food at the last minute. A stew, chilli or curry is easy to stretch with a bit more rice, veg or spuds. Individual portions of chicken, fish, etc are not easy to stretch and should be avoided.
You will be reimbursed Sh 150 for each Hasher. If 26 people turn up you will be reimbursed Sh 3,900 (26 people @ Sh 150). The Hash will cover you in case of a very low turnout by providing a minimum of Sh 3,000 (equivalent to 20 people). So if only 18 people turn up you will still be reimbursed for the minimum of 20 people @ Sh 150. The reimbursement covers food only. If you have difficulty cooking the food at your house then ask the Trailmaster or GM where good cheap food can be bought. You will be reimbursed the same amount for catered food (Sh 150 per person).
There is a Hash box with plates, knives, spoons etc. for 50 Hashers. It is passed on from one Hare to the next and a stock book is maintained. Contact last week’s Hare to get hold of the box.
The Hash will on occasion use a restaurant – try to find a cheap and clean venue. If necessary, the amount paid to the restaurant for food can be increased to Sh 250 per person. The Trailmaster (or in his/her absence the GM) must approve the food price in advance and Hashers must be informed by e-mail.
The Drink: Cold beer, sodas and water must be provided after the run. The Hare should provide someone to help with the collection of drinks vouchers from the Hashers. Two vouchers are needed for a beer, one for a soda. The Hare can redeem these vouchers for cash from the Hash Brewmeister at the end of the evening. The Hare will also be reimbursed for all Down-Down beers that are awarded in the Circle by the RA. Reimbursement for Down-Downs is made by the Hash Recorder. If beer is provided at the hold during the run this should be covered by the hare (nice gesture but certainly not a must). In case the Hash is held in a restaurant, Hashers should never be expected to pay more than Sh 100 for a beer.
The etc. Organizing a Hash requires a bit of work and the committee is always very grateful when someone volunteers. It is a win-win situation where you will hopefully enjoy other Hash runs and on-on events. It is supposed to be fun and just remember that the Original Hash House Harriers of Nairobi is not a running club. It is not necessary to set very long and fast runs. Hashing is about finding the trail, getting lost, taking false trails, eating decent and inexpensive food, drinking a few cold ones, meeting friends and having a good time. The Hash is not politically correct, the down-downs, singing and jokes after the run are directed at a mature or immature (over 18) audience. If you have a problem with this then talk to the GM who will probably suggest you join some other type of club.