FidEgan's Fastpacks - Episode 5 - Hash Running in Thailand

John and I are currently on a world trip where we plan to pursue our passion of trail running through the various landscapes and environments of the world. As we pass through each country we want to post our top pick for a trail run that we did. This does not mean that this is the best trail to run in that country. It just means that it was our favorite that we did. We are both using Ultraspire Fastpacks to carry our gear, hence the name of the column.

There are several National Parks in Thailand and there are many trails that weave through them but they aren't marked or on any map. They are trails that the hill tribes have used for 100's of years or more. This makes it hard to try to explore trail running on your own without the high risk of getting lost. The Hash runs helped solve some of this problem. Plus it's a great way to get to know the locals.

History of the Hash: Hash running began in 1938 by some Brits living in Malaysia.

Its goal was to: 1) Promote fitness 2) Get rid of weekend hangovers 3) To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it with beer (which directly counteracts goal #2) 4) To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel. It is often called "a drinking club with a running problem". There are now 2000 chapters around the world including 2 on Antarctica.

How it works: A "hare" sets the trail by marking it with paper and/or chalk. Intersections are marked with "checks" where decisions have to be made about the correct trail. False trails are often part of these checks. The runners call to each other as they search for and then find the correct trail.

The end of the run involves the social part or "circle". Various people are called up to sit on a block of ice (some do it bare-bummed) as they are commended, ridiculed, or otherwise called out for some action or behavior that occurred during the run. The groups we were with knew each other quite well so the ribbing that they gave each other was quite humorous. A cup (half full) of beer is downed by the person after they sit on the ice. Raunchy songs were sung by the group. In Chiang Mai a large group went out to dinner together and in Chiang Rai a delicious Thai buffet was served.

Hash runners all have their "hash names" that have been given to them by their peers. They tend to be on the inappropriate/gross side. You are named after going to the same Hash three times.

Where: Chiang Mai (www.chaingmaihhh.com) and Chiang Rai (www.chiangraihhh.blogspot.com), Thailand

Facilities/Trailhead: Depends on the site of the Hash run. Usually minimal facilities, but there is always the nearby bush. There is plenty of water and beer at the finish along with a nice big block of ice to cool your bum on. See the local website for the meeting place of the run.

Fees: Around 250 baht (~$8)

Terrain/Trails: Distance: 6-7 miles (~10 km) plus additional mileage for any false trails followed

Description: Both trails were in rural farmland near their respective towns. The running went past and through rice paddies, corn fields, through forest, jungle, over grassy fields and hills using a combination of dirt roads and single track. Sometimes the single track would be fast and smooth running, sometimes it was partial bush wacking.

Various additional obstacles were encountered including thorns, prickers, cows, and barbed wire fences.

The people in the lead would be the ones that would investigate the possible trails when checks would come so they ran most of the additional distance. The slightly slower people would wait at the check until the trail had been figured out. The checks tend to keep the fast and slow people together so there is not a big gap between the first and last at the finish line. The "Circles" held after each Hash were quite funny, though the Chiang Mai group is a bit more in the gutter while the Chiang Rai group is a little more family friendly. The best part of doing these Hashes was that it let us meet local runners. The Hash and the Hash runners we met would introduce us to the trails in the area and then John and I felt a little more comfortable about exploring further on our own.