Oh my God! What do I do now?
So you've participated in a few hashes (and, not unlike most Hashers, think you know everything already) and the HM has noticed that you've been tipping back just a few Banks, so...picking his moment carefully (after all, he is a man of some experience) he's approached you about setting a Hash. Not wanting to admit that you haven't the slightest idea how this is done (after all, you are a hasher now), you show the appropriate amount of enthusiasm and agree.
Of course you remember none of this until the following week when you see your name entered onto the upcoming run list. At which time you utter those now infamous words, "Oh, my God! What do I do now?" Hey relax. This is actually the fun part, lots of work, but fun nonetheless. So read on and pay attention because there will be a test later on (on your Hash baby, on your Hash!).
What To Do Before
(Come on...you didn't think this was all done on Saturday, did you?) OK. Get out your clipboard because here's your checklist of things you must do before your run.
Make a list. Check it twice.
Find Your Location.
Make sure that you can accommodate all of us and our cars. Remember we're frequently talking about a group that averages 100 people. Recognize that there's often young children, so try not to locate us on the edge of some shear cliff.
It's a good idea to pick some place that has shelter during the rainy months.
Don't forget that we have to carry the BBQ, bar, etc.
Remember that we have to transport the bar and barbeque so don't make us have to do our imitation of Himalayan porters. If you're staging the run from, or crossing over private property, then please get the owners' permission.
Prepare Maps
Maps need to be handed out the week before your run. If you can't be there, make sure you give them to someone who will.
Signs & Coolers
Pick up the signs and at least 2 coolers/drums at the run before your run. Arrange with other members to help bring the rest of the coolers/drums and try to catch Ronnie Hunt when he delivers ice an direct him to deliver to your site. Otherwise you'll be responsible for bringing ice as well.
Buy Flour
Best to get flour before the Saturday of your run. 10kgs should be enough.
Do A Recc'y
You really need to check out and map out your run before you actually set it. Do it in your head, write it down or whatever it takes, just don't leave it to Saturday morning. See OBJECTIVES below.
The Big Day: The Set
The Objective
So here you are, ready to put flour to ground but, let's not be too hasty, why don't we just review the main objective here.THE OBJECT IS... to set a good challenging run that should take the front runners, on the average, one to one and a half hours to complete, while keeping most of our very diverse group together. Bank Holiday runs should be limited to 30-45 minutes. What we want to avoid is having us strung out all over the countryside and having some walkers staggering back in 3 hours later.
Remember: It's easy to set a totally confusing Hash (Hashers, as a rule, are not real smart you know); it's harder to set one that's challenging and fun. Most hashes are set in a circular route starting and ending in the same location.
Your Arsenal Of Weapons
The Dot. Dot, dollop, plop, call it what you like, this
is your most basic marker. Use it to mark off the trail
that you want hashers to follow. Three dots placed in succession
along a trail indicate to hashers that they are on the right
route. Once you have established the trail, continue to
place dots at intervals along the route. Hashers, being
a rather insecure lot, start to get nervous when they don't
find flour along the route and are liable to wander about
aimlessly if they're not encouraged along by the occasional
dollop.
A word on spacing - allow for a reasonable distance between
dots. It's hard to say how much, 75-100 meters is OK but
a kilometer is a bit much. And, context is important here.
If you're on an established road or trail then you don't
need them very often, but if you're crossing an open field,
then you might need them every 20 meters. Use your good
Hashing judgment (God, are we in trouble now!)
