Bali Hash House Harriers 2

1) You first need to coordinate with the Hare Raiser to get on the schedule.

2) The schedule is usually filled one or more months in advance, so plan ahead to get the date you want.

3) A note for virgin (first time) hares: You must have a veteran co-hare! If you don't arrange for a suitably experienced co-hare yourself, the Hare Raiser will help you or appoint one for you

4) The first thing you must do is to choose a site from which to start the run. This should be accessible by road for hashers and beer trucks and have adequate parking for 20-40 cars. You must get permission from the head of the local community to use the site on the day. Hash sites are often close to temples but they should not interfere with activities there; watch out for graveyards and stay away from them, we cannot park on someone’s beloved. Hash Cash has budgeted a small amount for contributions to show our appreciation to the local banjar for their co-operation. While we have a number of well established hash sites that have hosted numerous runs for years, the increase in hash groups and the encroaching 'civilization' means that we must always be looking for new sites. Some prefer low altitude sites; others prefer the more scenic sites up in the hills; that's why we have a different hare every week! Use your judgment and keep in mind the time of year for comfort and safety. Its a good idea to set a run from a Wantilan or other similar structures that offer shelter in the rainy season, so the circle is not washed out and the beer not watered down.

Make sure to think of the following basic guidelines when setting a run:

• Get permission from the local community to use the site
• Never run through temples or temple courtyards.
• No circles drinking or risque behaviour in front of temple gates.
• Do not set runs through private houses or property (rice fields etc are generally regarded as public access).
• Always ask permission from the local banjar, kepalla desa or kepalla dusun (whoever is the local village head).
• Do not spray paint on roads or other permanent places.
• Use paper and not plastic for setting runs.
• Always be very polite to any local people.
• Check that there are no ceremonies or other activities being held in the area on the day of the run.
• Keep away from graveyards.
• People also need to be careful around any of the multitude of small shrines in rice fields or anywhere else.
• Do not set runs on fragile narrow rice bunds that can be damaged by 200 feet running over them.
• Do not harass and perve on women washing in the rivers.

5) Supply the hare-raiser or the scribe with a map, showing place names, distances and so on. Keep in mind that not everyone knows Bali as well as you do, and that hashers may be arriving from all directions. The map should be prepared at least 8 days before your run and given to the hare raiser in advance so that it can be posted at the previous weeks hash. This also means, we hopefully will avoid conflict with other hash groups.

6) Two or three “reccy's" may be necessary to be sure you know your way around and so you can set two runs, a long run, and a short run. These should not come too close to each other and you should know the area well enough to make last minute changes to avoid raging rivers, broken bridges and sudden ceremonies.The time it takes to walk a run should be about twice the time taken by front runners (i.e a one hour run should take two hours to walk). Runs should not go through private homes /compounds or temples and should avoid fragile bunds particularly when the rice paddies are flooded.

7) The week before the run the hare should arrange for co-hares (3 hares are allowed) and paper (shredded or chopped paper is available from any shipper and is sold by the kilo, 2 kilos is sufficient, so buy 5!). You may choose to use flour or chalk as well. White paper, newsprint and flour disappear in a heavy rain. Please avoid using spray paint on asphalt,stone or concrete. We've had over 3 new an 000 runs in Bali; Imagine if they all used paint!! Make your own signs or buy red on white HHH signs available from Hash Boutique. The previous weeks hare is also sometimes a good place to find paper and signs. You may also need signs to indicate the long and short runs.

8) On the day of the run the hares (who should abstain from alcohol and sex for a week prior to their run so they will have a clear head) should put up their HHH signs before setting the run. Keep in mind your map, and again, that hashers will be coming from all directions, with little sense of direction. You will need an odd combination of string, tape and staples for this; make sure signs are not likely to be obscured by a parked vehicle, stolen by vandals or bypassed completely. They should be salvaged after the run. Putting up signs as well as laying the paper usually provides pleasant amusement for local layabouts; it is worthwhile to exchange a few smiles and pleasantries to ensure that your handiwork is untouched.

9) You should know by now how long it will take you to set the run and have realized that you must set off at the hottest time of day in blistering sun, so you are clever enough to wear a hat and sunscreen, and carry a bottle of water and some money. Not to mention your first aid kit, Swiss Army knife, flare gun and insect repellant, and for those easily lost, your GPS unit..... You’re alone out in the jungle remember.

10) There should be paper every 10-15 metres, less if you're following an obvious path, more if there is no trail and you're in heavy foliage. Hashing occurs at the time of day when village streets are watered and swept; keep this in mind if your trail goes through a "kampong". After 10-20 minutes slow down the front runners with some false trails or checks. A false trail can be indicated by a line of paper across the trail, or running out of paper.... you can indicate a check-back with a paper ‘X’ (runners must go back on the paper trail to find the 'true trail’) or a check around ‘O’ (indicating that the real trail may be ahead or behind or off to the side). In all cases the trail must resume within 100 metres from where it left off. A good check may delay front runners 5-10 minutes; slow runners will appear on the scene just as they have found the new trail. Slower runners having to find the new trail by themselves and in the dark will not be seen for weeks, keep this in mind. Conscientious hares and some frontrunners have reset false trails so that slower runners can catch up more easily. Keep in mind that hares are expected to "sweep" the run in search of lost runners so don't be too clever. If you want to be clever – remember to bring a torch !!

11) Back at the run site the hares are expected to see that the beer is chilled and the first aid Kit is ready for the runners coming back. Once the circle begins the hare does his down down and takes whatever praise/abuse is appropriate and then takes jugs and makes sure that those in the circle have their down downs.

12) The On On following the Hash Run is of course where hash got its name, the Hash House being where everyone ate afterwards. The hare can designate where we will take our "hash" after his run, he may arrange a special evening or simply name a bar. It is best to warn the publican beforehand, attendance is optional.

13) If the hare wants to do something special whether it is a T-shirt, food, or a rented boat he must also arrange for sponsorship/payment so that the cost is covered. Hash Cash expects each run to be self-sufficient, although the committee does help with some sponsorship of some of the special runs over the course of the year.

14) Don't' use the hash to demonstrate your superb physical fitness. The point of the hash is for both hares and hounds to have fun. As a hound, getting your dick knocked into the dirt simply isn't fun, no matter how amused it the hare is about it all.

15) Don't worry about trying to lay the perfect trail - there really isn't such thing. Something unforeseen will normally, generally, usually go wrong. Just try your best and your hash (run) will be a success. Accept your down-down with humility.

There are infinite variations such as a point to point run, a live hare, a pointless run (quite common), a beach run, a costume run, a ladies run, a a full moon run, a river run, a too long run, a too short run, etc., etc., etc. This is simply a guide to the basics.

Note : Hare's responsibilities include:
Dealing with the property owner (both public establishment and private property) in all matters.
Finding lost people and returning people to the start / run sites.