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The Run
Typically a run should be between 60 and a 90 minutes long. Distance differs depending upon the terrain. Lots of shiggy (off-piste), takes longer, especially at night. Bear in mind that a run set during the day will be quite different at night when people are running/crawling using torches. Coloured chalk gets rendered invisible at night.
You can never have too many markings, and regular On On's reassure runners that they are going the right way (especially for new runners or runners separated from the rest of the pack).
Hash Markings and Calls
LSW use 'closed head' chalk arrows where the chalk line bisects the base of the triangle to meet at the apex. This is to distinguish LSW markings from other hashes that run on other days/nights of the week and who also try to use their own distinctive markings. Flour is used in conjunction with chalk especially where there is no surface to write in chalk. Chalk or blobs of flour should be marked at roughly 50m intervals. They should be more frequent in dense foliage or congested streets where they are likely to be missed.
String may also be used to mark the trail if it is raining and the chalk and flour are likely to get washed away.
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LSW chalk arrow showing the route to take. On seeing a chalk arrow or flour, one shouts either "CHALK" or "FLOUR" to indicate to others one is on a trail (not necessarily the correct one though). The letters 'LSW' might also be written next to the arrow which helps distinguish it from other hash's markings. |
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This is an On On which means one is definitely on the right trail. "ON ON" should be shouted to let the rest of the pack know, particularly after a Check.
The On On can also be marked without the arrow, so if you see NO NO then you are running in the opposite direction and it's time for a major rethink.. |
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This is a Check, with arrows pointing to the various possible routes. The letters 'CK' inside the circle are optional. A Check means one is definitely on the right trail and one shouts "ON TO THE CHECK". The correct trail from the Check will be in the direction of one of the arrows. Front runners will check each, or some of the routes, and return to the Check to T any of the false arrows, so runners behind will know which are wrong, and save them having to check them.
It is intended to slow the front runners, and bring the pack together again. |
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If one of the arrows has been T'd it means that a front runner has already been in that direction and found a T and come back to mark it. |
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A question mark on one of the arrows means that a front runner has already gone to check in that direction.
If you are quite far behind that runner, then it means it is probably the right direction since no one has come back to 'T' it. |
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An open check means the trail is in any direction. The first flour or chalk after an open check means On On. Open checks don't have any other markings like Ts or Check Backs. On seeing the first flour or chalk, shout "ON ON". A question mark in one of the directions is like the above which means that a front runner has already gone in that direction, and again if it hasn't been rubbed out or T'd then it is probably correct. |
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A 'T' shows runners that they are on the wrong trail. One shouts "T" to tell the others not to follow that trail. If it comes after a Check, one returns to the Check, Ts it off, and tries a different route. A 'T' is typically 100m to 200m from the Check. |
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This is a Check Back. It means the correct route is somewhere between the Check Back and the last Check or the last On On. One shouts "CHECK BACK" so the other
runners also know to look for the trail off the trail they are on, as opposed to going all the way back to the Check to try a different route. A Check Back like a "T" is about 100m to 200m from the Check. |
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This is a Wimps/Rambos Split. The Wimps route is easier or shorter than the Rambos, and is for less aggressive or less fit runners. Runners can make up their own minds on
reaching the Split as to which one they feel like taking. There might be a few subsequent arrows marked with a 'W' or 'R' confirming which trail one is on. The hares will say before the run whether there is a Split. |
More information on checks
If one is lost or arrives at a Check, one can call "ARE YOU ?". Any runners within earshot will then shout out what marking they last saw. A call of "ARE YOU ?" at a check should elicit the response "CHECKING LEFT", "CHECKING RIGHT" or straight or down or up etc. (common sense usually prevails) from the front runners. If one of the front runners has seen an On On or another Check, they will shout it out again. This happens quite often as the back runners might have been out of earshot when it was first called, or were unable to identify the direction the call came from.
More information on markings
The idea behind the markings is that they should be clearly visible to keep runners running. Where there is an intersection or open area, the trail should be clearly marked through it. If the route turns off the existing trail, the turn-off should be clearly marked because runners might miss it and continue for several hundred metres then chance upon flour or chalk from a previous hash and follow that to be never seen again. Checks are the only place where runners have to work out where the trail goes next.
Where flour is used extensively there should be periodic chalk arrows or On Ons to reassure runners they are going in the right direction because one cannot tell which way a blob of flour is facing. The same applies where there is a Wimp and Rambo split. When they are about to rejoin, each should be marked W or R and then WR when they are both back on a common course. This helps runners avoid going back into the opposite trail they haven't done yet. To a hare setting a run during daylight it might seem obvious which way to go; to a visitor running at night it won't.
Receding Hareline
The receding Hareline is a list of forthcoming runs, showing the run number,
date, hares, and when known the location of the run. The principle is that
everyone running the Hash should take turns in setting a run. With about
130 active Hashers, and an average of two Hashers setting a run, one can
expect to set a run per year. Not unreasonable for the other 51 weeks of
fun!
It's better to volunteer for a run, rather than being press-ganged - one can choose a convenient date.Trying to find someone else to set your run on a 25th of December because you have family commitments can prove to be remarkably tricky.
The Hash has been counting its runs since run number 1, which seemed like a jolly fine place to start. The 1700th run was on the 26th September 2009. Anniversary runs marking 50th, 100th, special numbered runs etc, are often set on a Saturday with pleasantly illustrated commemorative T-shirts provided to add to the collection piling up in ones wardrobe.
Hares
The job of the Hares is a not an easy one. Most runs go well, a few don't. If you've set a run you'll realise how much effort goes into it, often the hares taking a half day off to set the run. Don't be too critical of them - they'll probably get loads of down downs in the event of a fiasco.
The Hares should :-
- Attend the run the week before their own run in order to.....
- Write up and submit the Hash News, along with details of where their run will be, how to get to it and where the On On will be.
- Recce the proposed route before actually setting it.
- Organise a location for the start of the run (ideally sheltered in case of bad weather).
- Organise The Bins (cold drinks after the run).
- Organise the On On (restaurant for dinner and down downs).
- Collect money for the food at the end, and include a small amount per head for Down-Down beers.
If you are a Virgin Hare, it's best to set a run with a more experienced Hasher. There are plenty around who will after a fair amount of nagging be willing to help. Despite the description of the markings below, it is no substitute for having an Old Hand help you.
When setting a run, buy chalk well in advance from a local Chinese stationery store ($5 per box) - it can be quite hard to find, and the big bookshop chains do not invariably stock it. As a guideline an average run with two people setting, take a box of chalk each, and a couple of bags of flour each.
Hash News
The Hash News is sent out weekly via email with an account of the last run, and details of the forthcoming run. This is written up by the Hare setting the next run, and sent to Ruggero who forwards it to the rest of the Hash, and posts it on this website.
The Bins
After the run, either back at the start (A), or at B, to where
the hares have spirited the bags, runners expect cold drinks.
In the
hot, humid months, June to October, it's nice to have small bottles of
water to carry on the run, and lots of "softies" at the end.
Most Hares use large black bin liners, or something similar in which
to put the beer and softies, covered with ice to keep them cool while the
rest of the Hash is out on the run. It is advisable to get this done
pretty damned sharpish-like, as some of the Short Cutting Bastards can
finish suprisingly early. Sugar Boy and Harty have been known to get back
from an hour and a half run in fifteen minutes - the length of time it
took them to finish a beer at the nearest pub.
It makes sense if the
bins are near a supermarket or 7-11 that sell drinks and ice, unless the
hares have a car to transport it all (heavy, and normally the last thing
one feels like after setting the run).
Hash Cash
Bin prices are $20 $10 for the run, $10 for a beer, $5 for a softie.
Hash Cash will collect money at the end of the run, and in the restaurant. If Hash Cash is not around, the Hares should collect the money (it is, after all, their money that paid for the drinks!).
The principle of Hash Cash is to cover any shortfalls during the course of a year, where some runs lose money (lack of runners due to weather conditions, or people
generally dislike the Hare) which the Hash fund can cover. The idea is not for a Hare to finish out of pocket.
The On On
The On On supper ideally costs about $100 a head (which can sometimes be difficult). People buy their own drinks separately.
Choice of venue
and cuisine is completely up to the Hare. Most restaurants will arrange a set menu or do a deal for a block booking, and provide vegetarian courses
as well. There are normally about 20 people at the On On, so they will often give a better price for drinks.
Down-Downs
These are doled out by various raconteurs after supper to any miscreants. Down-Downs are completely arbitrary, may or may not be true, have no right of appeal, and are a glass of beer downed in one. 'Dobbing people in' (grassing on them) to the down down master is actively encouraged.
The On On On
If one still has a thirst after the On On, there is the On On On. LSW used to go to a pub called 'The Wanch' in Wanchai, but 'The Old China Hand' seems to be the hangout now. It might have something to do with the happy-hour prices extended to the hash. Any boozer that admits people with questionable body odour suffices.
There is little opportunity to shower after most Hashes, though Jeeves proved very adept at finding bodies of water with a suprisingly high ecoli count to 'freshen up'.
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