Hashing has no rules, but haring does!
Remember O2H3 is “All live all the time” – it’s our claim to fame. This means all official trails for this hash are live trails. The whole point of the hash is for everyone to have fun and make it to the end. Virgin hares are expected to hare with an experienced O2H3 hare the first time. If you get caught, you get caught. It happens to all of us. It is better to get caught than lay a bad trail.
Setting the Date – check the Hareline on O2H3.net for an available date. Notify the Hareraiser. Plan your trail. Fill out the form on O2H3.net (found under Calendar section) with all details of location, date, times, etc.
Hash Start – Make sure there’s sufficient, safe parking (without tickets, towing, etc.) for the number of hashers expected (10-15 cars, more for special events). Start time and location is entirely up to the hare, but don’t change it once published unless absolutely necessary. Some people will miss the change. [Note: Summer hashes should be hares away no earlier than 4:00 PM. Winter hashes should start earlier so hashers can complete the trail before dark – except in the case of full moon trails.]
Directions – Provide the street address, map pin, and adequate directions for people to find their way to the start. Include any special instructions that might help (i.e. park in the back, due to road construction…, NW corner of the park, etc.).
Publicity – Once you fill out the form on O2H3.net (at least 1 week in advance of your trail), the Webmasturbator and On-Sec will automatically receive a copy. The website event will be updated with the information and a Facebook event will be created and published. Any updates after that point can be made by notifying the Hareraiser, Webmasturbator, and/or On-Sec.
Kit-Kar/Bag Wagon/Hare-aid – It is the Beermeister’s responsibility to bring the beer to the start, not to the end. Hares are responsible to provide a kit-kar large enough to transport the bags, beer and snacks to the end and keep it “safe” once it gets there. ARRANGE THIS AHEAD OF TIME. You’ll need at least 45-60 min. For example, meet at 3:00, kit-kar away at 3:30, hare away at 4:00.
Beer/Water stops – If you plan on having a beer/water/shot stop along the trail it is up to the hare to provide drinks, cups and anything else that is needed. Beer will be reimbursed up to $20 when you provide a copy of the receipt to Hash Cash. Any trail over 3 miles must have a water stop if its hot outside (so 9 months a year). The hash does not reimburse you for flour or chalk. Always provide water at beer stops. If you have a pub stop on trail, include special instructions to bring money for it when you fill out the form.
Hash End – The end (ON-IN) needs to be in an area where beer is legal, and where the hash can congregate without interference. Pick an area where we can be ourselves and not get arrested. Always respect “No Trespassing” signs. Shade is always appreciated in Florida – especially in the summer! The hares need to provide transportation back to the start to pick up a couple of large vehicles to shuttle people and gear back.
Lost Hashers – The hares are responsible for finding any hashers not back within reasonable time. Circle will not start until all hashers have made it in. So lay a well-marked trail!! The search party starts with the hares.
The Trail
Trails should be approximately 3-5 miles in length depending on terrain and weather conditions. Scout your trails beforehand. Run the entire trail and time to make sure it’s long/short enough. If the hash is at night, run it in the dark to avoid losing your way while haring live. Remember: the point is for everybody to finish and have fun. Be creative, you’re not catering to any special interest group, especially competitive runners! A regroup at a beer check, check, count back, overlook, etc. are great ways to allow the slower hashers to catch up and slow the FRB’s down. A turkey/eagle split is a nice touch for longer trails. Trail markings should be flour, chalk, toilet paper (preferably unused) or any suitable biodegradable material or means. Stash flour and other marking supplies on trail to avoid carrying a heavy bag – and don’t skimp on flour! It is far better to lay a trail that is easily followed, but a challenge to traverse than the other way around. Keep in mind some things are harder to see at night, like blue flour or chalk. We strongly encourage you to color your flour. Flour is easily colored using chalkline chalk or tempra paint. Add colorful cereal for rainy days. Hash marks should be placed approximately 30 yards (25 paces) apart, closer at night (20 yards). If the weather is crap, use vertical surfaces (trees instead of ground). BRIEF THE HASH ON ANY SPECIAL MARKS OR MATERIAL USED ON TRAIL. Checks are designed to bring the pack together. A trail should have enough checks to make it a challenge, but not so many as to make it a chore. The true trail may come out of a check in any direction (369 degrees), but generally within 100 yards of the check as the crow flies. A trail should be fairly easy to follow. Mark your corners and turns or it is assumed that the trail goes straight. Flour placement can be clever, but shouldn’t be continually hidden.
Trails should not go through private property without the owner’s permission.