How to Hare a Run

Sometimes it seems a little presumptuous to presume that a physical activity could be an art, but to a hasher, the design and deployment of a successful Hare and Hounds trail is like the completion of a masterpiece. It is a work beheld and appreciated by the pack, who are more demanding than any art critics you will ever meet. Of course, you will never please all the hashers, but on rare occasions you can obtain, in the circle, an overwhelming consensus of a job well done. That is what makes the scouting, practice and hard work worth the effort.

In the beginning, the markings of the Hash were much simpler. A check was a simply the trail ran out of hash (scent) and the harriers had to fan out and pick it up again. Later, checks were a plain "X" and there were no "hare arrows", holding checks and other assorted modern marks. However, as there came confusion with utility and construction company markings, as well as other running/walking clubs, a mere "X" or simple arrow were not enough. Other marks were added to bring variety to the trail, to the point where today there are hundreds of variations. However, since many of these modern markings are designed to gather the pack together, they unfairly impede live hare packs. Therefore, live hare hashes tend to have an abbreviated set. Here is a more "simple" set of markings, common to most of the hashes today, which are used for both live and dead hare. We will cover the specialized and holding checks in a later chapter more common to the dead hare hashes or for special events.

Hash- a trail mark (permitted on true or false trails) consisting of a splash of flour, strip of paper, arrow, or other special or seasonal marking as designated by the hare at the start (and permitted by local hash tradition). Other media are used to usually poorer success or for special conditions such as snow, rain or night hashes (hash is discussed in detail later).

Check- (in a few hashes referred to as a Checkmark or Intersection) is chalked on pavement or other easily visible, hard surface such as a board, wall, etc., or drawn in flour on a rougher trail's surface. A check indicates that the trail divides at this point in at least two or more directions. There is no limit to the number of directions and the three H's simply stand for Hash House Harriers:

Arrow- a hash mark that indicates trail direction (used on either true or false trail) and is chalked or drawn in flour on any surface easily seen from the trail. Variations allow you to thwart short cutting bastards (SCB's) on main thoroughfares.

ON ON or Hare Arrow- indicates true trail direction. It is a courtesy to put a hare arrow or draw ON ON within a hundred meters of a check, so that the lead runner can signal true trail, "ON-ON!", to the rest of the Pack. This courtesy is sometimes ignored by sole-hares (those who hare without the benefit of a co-hare) or by poor runners who need the additional advantage. Only the hares may draw a hare arrow or ON ON. It may be drawn anywhere on true trail, but, by definition, it may NOT be used on a false trail (BT).

Bad Trail (BT or Back Track)- marks the end of a false trail, defined as any misleading direction from a check with at least one hash mark. All such trails must end with this mark about 50-100 meters, but no more than 400 meters (or 1/4 mile), from a check. There can be NO check or other trail split on a Bad Trail. However, there may be several BT's from a check.

Trail Split (Two-Headed Snake)-usually used to divide Wimp trails from Hasher trails. (Never intended as a two way check- both directions must be true trail directions.) A Wimp (sometimes referred to as Chickens) trail is either a section of trail or additional trail to provide an easier and/or shorter route for poor-runners, injured hashers, etc. The Hasher (also called Bulls) trail is for the more hearty of the pack.

Beer Near- A beer near may be a pub or a refreshment stop manned by non-runners or hidden in nearby bushes. If you see this symbol and no beer or other beverage is apparent, look around for it under leaves, bushes, etc. All hashers must drink from this stop before proceeding. A line or splash of hash towards the stash is a good idea. If the stash is not within ten meters or so, the hare should put an arrow and/or distance to the stash. Note it is the abbreviation, whereas "Beer Near" spelled out (next) means "On In".

ON IN- This notifies the pack that the trail will soon finish (within less than 400 meters or 1/4 mile) and there are no more checks or trail splits. If obviously near the start and there are no further hash marks, it may mean return to the start. Hares are usually considered safe from capture after drawing this mark. It prevents SCB's and those who hang around the start or finish vehicle/pub from having an unfair advantage. Use either or both of the following, with an optional hare arrow indicating direction.

End of Trail- marks the finish. Wait there. If the hares are missing, they have ten minutes to get the beer and avoid a down-down. Though the three H's may also be used elsewhere in trail comments, hares who do this should make the comments small and the finish marks very large. Never use the three H's in comments alone, as many may interpret this as meaning they are done and beer is coming shortly.

HOME