How to Set a Hash Trail
Watch Haring 101
觀看設路線指南

Taichung HHH welcomes new hares. Diversity is the lifeblood of the Hash and anyone - however fast or slow - can set a live run if it is well-planned in advance.

Live haring is not a difficult task but it does require adherence to some basic conventions which are set out below.

First-time hares are particularly encouraged to take along a more experienced co-hare for guidance.

Those hares who feel they are amongst the slower runners, or even those not so slow, should consider splitting the run between themselves thereby lessening the chances of being caught.

Finding the Run
It generally takes a minimum of 4-5 recce (reconnaissance) trips to put together a quality run.
  • Location: Runs should be set in picturesque areas. Avoid roads and heavily trafficked areas as much as possible. Overgrown trails (i.e. shiggy) should not be excessive, and kept to a reasonable level.
  • Length: In general, summer runs should take the first runners no more than 75 minutes to complete, while longer runs (i.e. up to 90 minutes) are welcome in the cooler months. Runs longer than this should not be set unless prior warning is given (2 weeks) and its appropriateness has been discussed by the hash group.
  • Walkers' Trail: A walking trail for walkers should be set, if possible. Try to plan for  walkers to finish close to the same time as the runners so that the Circle can start earlier. If this is not possible, try to get the walkers back to the finish within 120 minutes. Any part of a walking trail that is not part of the main trail can be pre-marked.
  • Important: The hares should run the entire trail at least once ahead of time so that they know how long it is and where they want to place checks, the beer check cooler, etc. to ensure no surprises on the day.

Pre-run Preparation
The Start
  • Mark the road to the run site.
  • If possible, arrange a location for shelter in case of rain.
  • The start point should have access to water, preferably in the form of a sink, hose, faucet, or even a river.
Note: Buddhist temples are not good start locations as their residents appreciate solitude and quiet. Daoist temples, however, generally have no such concerns. Owners of farmhouses are almost always willing to permit the use of their courtyards if asked in advance. Schools are also good locations to start, though it is preferable to seek the advance permission of the janitor (if he can be located).

Flour, Chalk and/or Shredded Paper 
Hares are responsible for bringing sufficient amounts of chalk, flour, or shredded paper to the run. The choice of marking material is up to the hares, but thought should be given to terrain and weather.
  • Expect to use at least 3 jin of flour for every 20 minutes on standard trails.
  • For longer runs or those with difficult terrain, pre-stashing bags of flour/paper/chalk part-way around the run is a good strategy, as this avoids the need to start and run the entire trail with big, heavy flour bags.
  • On rainy days, flour mixed with food dye will help the pack to follow the markings if they start to wash out.  Food dye is readily available from general grocery stores with red being a good color to choose. In the worst of conditions (i.e. very heavy typhoon rain), shredded paper is preferable as it is about the only thing that will stay put at times like this.

Hash Marking
  • Before starting a run, hares are responsible for indicating to the Hash group what they will mark with (i.e. flour/paper/chalk) and what marks they will use.
  • If possible, all runs are to be done "live" by the Hares (i.e. no pre-marking)
  • Hash marks should be clearly visible. If there is a chance of rain, chalk markings should be done on vertical surfaces (i.e. trees, walls) to lessen the chances of them being washed out. Markings should be on immovable objects. If the trail runs through somewhere with a lot of foot traffic (i.e. marketplace), make sure there is ample flour/paper so that it doesn't get dispersed quickly.
  • In general, 6-8 checks are about right for a 75-minute run, although the terrain and hares will dictate the actual number as every run is different. A check mark is either a circle with a dot in the centre or a circle with a cross in it.  A good place to set a check is where paths diverge to give you a number of directions to choose from. After setting the check, the hares should begin marking again within 100 meters of the check.
  • Back tracks can be laid by placing three (3) solid lines in flour / chalk across the trail to indicate a "back track".  They can be placed on any part of the trail but obviously it is not a good idea to use them close to the run start and finish points. After setting a back track, the correct trail should start within 100 meters back from the end of the back track trail. Marking for the correct trail must run in a different direction from the back track trail. There is no limit to the number of back tracks that can be set although common sense should be exercised.
  • ​When on the trail, flour/paper should be dropped frequently enough so that there is no doubt as to direction. When on a clearly defined trail with no alternatives, this can be as seldom as every 30-50 meters. On open fields where the trail is not clearly defined, the next flour/paper mark should be clearly visible to the runners from the previous mark and the marking should give an indication of the general direction in which to run.  Having said that try and make the run fun.  Place flour on trees (i.e. a "hand print") or flour/paper on any object that presents itself (i.e. the top of a wall or a monument/building etc.)  When using chalk, use a color that stands out (i.e. white) and make the marks large and in the form of an arrow showing direction.
  • The most commonly experienced problem with marking is unclear turn marks. All turns should be marked with a large sweep of flour/paper that leaves no doubt as to which direction the trail leads.  An "arrow head" at the leading end of the flour / paper mark will help to avoid confusion.
  • On runs that begin and end at the same place (i.e. A to A runs), the hares should make sure that the runners do not mistake the "out" and the "in" trails. This is a problem when checks set on the "out" trail are too close to the "in" trail.  A cross-over can be avoided by clear markings of the "in" trail with the words "IN" where it comes close to the "out" trail.
  • When finishing, the Hares should clearly mark "ON IN" with flour/chalk on the trail near the end of the run after the last check. The "ON IN" mark is usually within 500m of the finish.

Beer Checks
Where possible, a beer check should be set on the trail.  A beer check should be placed at a convenient point anywhere from the half-way point of the trail to within the last quarter of the trail, and should be planned ahead of time. It is the responsibility of the hares to get a cooler with beer and soft drinks from the Ale Master.

Bash
The hares should try and locate a suitable bash location near the run site.  If this is not available, a bash location in Taichung or other location can be agreed on by consensus of the hash members.
Hash Disclaimer (Literally, "The Fine Print") Unfortunately, due to the nanny state mentality that has been promoted around the world, the following needs to be said: All Hash activities are undertaken at the individual's own risk. Neither the Taichung Hash nor any of its members accept any liability for an individual's personal safety or belongings. This doesn't mean that Hashers won't help each other out - of course they will, especially on trail. However, the Hash is not responsible for you; you are an adult, and we believe you are perfectly capable of making your own decisions. So listen to the Hares and know your own limits.