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A
successful run is created from a thorough initial
reconnaissance by the hare. First check out the pub
(drinkers with a running problem!) and clear our imminent
arrival with the landlord. Have a look at a map. As a guide
an hours hashing can be had around a circular route in an
area of four kilometre square on an ordnance survey map but
there is no substitute for walking your planned route
beforehand, not least to seek permission from landowners to
cross farmland and go through woods and to check that the
footpaths shown on the map really exist on the ground.
The best hash runs keep road running down to a
minimum, so seek out paths, tracks, fields, woods and as
much shiggy as can be found.
The
hare should strive to lay a run where the WHOLE pack
arrives back at the pub together having exhausted the front
runners with tricks of the art such as checks, false trails,
loops and back checks at the same time as giving the social
pack opportunities to shortcut as often as possible.
The
hare is responsible for whatever substance marks the trail.
Some agricultural limes or certain sawdusts are effective
but beware of the burns that lime and water can give to
exposed skin. Flour is safer but can be eaten and is more
easily washed away. Single drops mark the trail placed
frequently to prompt front runners to shout ‘on-on’ loudly
and so get puffed out! If you want the pack to know you have
changed direction place the drops close together. If the
trail peters out runners should fan out and shout ‘looking’
this is a hare’s trick to slow the pack.
A
circle marks a check.
It is the check that gives the hash its character and
makes it different from any other physical recreation, and
it is the skill of placing checks that represents the peak
of the hare’s art. It is here that front runners can be lead
astray. At the check the trail stops and there is a gap in
the marked trail. EVERYONE is meant to search for the drop
of lime that will mark the next stretch of the trail and
they shout ‘checking’ while doing so. When they find
it the call is again ‘on-on’.
Good checks
make a good hash and the hare shouldn’t be stingy with them.
A straight unchecked run of over 500metres will spread the
pack out too far. Plan a route with lots of natural
junctions. After each check the trail could go in any
direction, the more varied the better, even back along the
old trail
someway before diverting (a back check).
The new ‘on’ should not be less than 50 metres from the
check - in good daylight - but not so far away that the
person who finds it will not be heard. Beware of putting a
check too near the incoming trail, inevitably it will be
found instead of the hare’s intended route and all your
blood sweat and tears will have been wasted.
A
loop or zigzag in
the trail is an obvious technique to get front runners
running around in circles while the social pack catches up
and should be used wherever possible.
The false trail, marked with a cross, is another
weapon used to
 knacker
front runners. It is important to make the cross marking the
false clear to prevent the risk of a hasher continuing and
perhaps coming across the incoming trail. Too long a false
trail may have everyone going the wrong way but, more
seriously, it may tempt the tricked runner to catch up with
the pack by finding a short cut instead of going back to the
check (you know who you are!)
 They
do say that the hash is not a race and is non competitive
but experience shows it usually brings out the worst in all
of us. What
we must do is to make sure that there is someone behind us
to pass back the call, “on-on!”
The
ultimate skill is
to bring everyone back to the pub at the same time. As the
hash has members of all abilities an additional tool for the
hare is to include a long and short route at some
point in the trail. The macho hasher can’t be seen not to
try the long route while the social hasher can take the
short route and be back at the pub first. However even
social hashers enjoy the challenge of checking and short
routes allow them to have that pleasure. The hares must
remember that checks on the short route are just as
important as checks for hashers on the long.
The
hare(s) should also ensure that the slower runners and
social pack are in touch at all times. Good practice is for
the hares to bring up the rear, suggesting short cuts to
those who may need them and making sure no one gets lost.
Equally important, the rearguard hares can then also make
sure that all gates are closed and any stock remains in the
right field.
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sometimes not untimely reminder to ancient hashers. 
