Guidelines for Setting a Hash Run

This document is a guide only. Do not take it as gospel, because you'll never get two hares ever agreeing exactly on how a good Hash run should be laid.

1. Shreddie: To prevent too much chaos and to avoid losing people a course is laid out, clearly marked by vast quantities of shreddie (shredded paper). It takes approximately 3 to 5kg (one large bag) of shreddie to set a run. The trail is laid by casting sufficient handfuls of shreddie over the course to be run. Shreddie should be spaced no more than 30 metres apart in open country, 25 metres in scrub and 10 metres or closer in dense jungle, the more shreddie the better. Shreddie can be obtained from numerous companies and diplomatic offices around the city. Check with the Hareraisers to find out where to get some. In cases where no or insufficient shreddie is available, or where shreddie may be inapproriate (e.g. town runs), flour may be used as a substitute.
2. Assumptions: It is best to assume that the hounds have no intelligence.
3. Tactics: Use plenty of checks and false trails. These are cunning traps set by the hares to put the hounds off the trail, the theory being to allow the slow, overweight, unfit and/or generally infirm runners to catch up, or even to reverse the field. A good run is one in which the slowest and fastest runner finish within a few minutes of each other. A check may be as simple as stopping shreddie for 100 metres even though the trail continues straight on or it may lead the pack in the wrong direction. Checks may be set in any combination or multiple of the above: however in every case, from the point you stop shreddie to the point you begin the trail again should not be over 100 metres in open country, 70 metres in scrub and 25 metres in dense jungle.
• Checks: marked with a circle, preferably around an object such as a tree, bush or rock. The check should be placed at an obvious intersection of trails. Decoy trails may be laid leading in the wrong direction, but use no more than two blobs for these. (This number has been carefully chosen because of the difficulty many hounds have in counting past two - "One, two, many...". See rule #2 above).
• False trails: These are normally marked with an 'X'. (This symbol was chosen because hounds are familiar with it, the 'X' being the most common signature on the sign-in sheet. See rule #2 above.)
• Natural checks: When coming to a T-Junction or fork in a trail, delay laying shreddie for 10-20 meters.
• Loops: A small loop leaving a straight trail and circling back, 100~200 metres in length, is effective in keeping the pack together. Slow runners should arrive at the start of the loop just as leaders are returning to the main trail, thus the slow runners can continue stralght ahead and rejoin the pack. This is not short-cutting.
4. Villages: Never check in villages. When laying shreddie through villages always continue straight on in the direction than you entered. Villages should be avoided whenever possible.
5. Crops: Never set check in crops or cultivated land, as this can cause much damage. Never lay the trail through crops, always around the edge and whenever possible avoid crops entirely. Be considerate.
6. Length: A trail should be between 8 and 12 kilometres in length, taking no more than 90 minutes for the slowest runners to complete. Runs are to consist of two or three legs, with a water stop between each leg. Runs of excessive length are not appreciated (ask the 'Millenium Hares' about this point). Try to put a little variety into your run - open country, a river, rubber plantations. a few hills, swamps, bridges, leech holes, snake pits, etc.
7. Walkers and Runners: Hares are expected to include a "Walker's Trail" for the senile, infirm, age-challenged, gravitationally-gifted or otherwise handicapped Hashers among us. A Walking Hare is to be appointed to guide these lambs. Those Hares not designated as Walking Hares are to act as Running Hares, ensuring that the more intellectually challenged members of the pack do not get irretrievably lost (see rule #2 above). Note that the Running Hares are not guides. Allow the Hounds to find the trail themselves, guiding them only if they look likely to get lost.
8. Sightings: If the Hash Bus is sighted on the run then the run is officially over. Every hasher may then proceed to the beer by the most direct route.
9. Reccies: When you have found good spots for the start, the water stop(s) and the finish, it usually takes two or three reccies (reconnaissance runs) before you can lay a good run. On the first reccie learn the lay of the land. It's usually easiest to plan the walking trail first, and the running trail afterwards. Take extra care in ensuring that the Hash Bus can get to the start and the finish.
10. Water Truck:The Hares are responsible for organising a vehicle to carry water for the water stops - one can usually be commandeered before the start of the run. Be aware that often there is no vehicle available, so make sure that the waterstop site is accessible by the Hash Bus. Hares are also responsible for organising the On-On at any of Saigon's numerous fine eating/drinking establishments.
11. Map: It is the Hare's responsibility to prepare a map showing the location of the run. This must be provided to Hash Geek as soon as possible so that it may be distributed. If possible, include a mobile phone number on the map in case any members of the pack have difficulty reading it (see rule #2 above). Include details of the On-On as well.
12. Virgin Hares: It's a sad fact of Hashing life that a minority of Hashers set the majority of runs. Whenever possible, try to seduce a virgin Hare into accompanying you. You never know - they may turn into a haresetting stalwart.