Some people will remember the 13th of April 2003 for the incredible run by Paula Radcliffe at the London Marathon (she moved even faster than a hasher heading for the pub at 12 oclock on a Sunday). Others will remember it for the 500th run.
A nice sized pack full of old faces and founder members turned up for our half thousand run. We had lost a few to the London but most of the pack were there even though Miss Perfect and Hugh pead turned up just for the meal!!
The weather was beautiful and the pack gathered to the long lost sound of Hash Horn (John) whilst the JMs spread a few lies about the forthcoming trail. The fact that the Doc was on his bike made a few of us suspicious but with little ado we were off.
Pancsi led the way and the trail soon turned up and left winding its way over the hill. It was not long however before we had been had as we came in a big square to see the Doc beaming at us and directing back markers up another hill. This was a toughie bringing most of the pack to a crawl. Even some of the junior members were feeling it but eventually a check was sighted and we all wandered off aimlessly looking for a trail. Another check or two and a regroup was held amidst a group of wild garlic. Understandably we did not linger long here but scurried off smelling like Frenchmen. Before long yet another hill. Ive been hashing for nearly twenty years and I still cannot work out how it is that on a hash hills only ever go up. Surely they must come down one day??? The pack moved along at a fair pace Radcliffe style (well fair for hashers) mostly along fields and open areas which gave us all a chance to try and get a sun tan.
Another check and we were treated to Treefeller and Mary Lowe regally drifting by in the 4 wheel drive carriage without even so much as a barrel of something in the back!!!
However at this point feeling confused your Humble Scribe asked Joe Bell which was the way. "When my dad marshalled a race here the course went that way" he said pointing. Well as he is 9 years old and 9 year olds know everything (or mine did) I followed his advice and true enough the trail was found making its way uphill. A few more checks and a regroup which Spiderman chose to ignore even when called back. An obvious choice for a hashit we thought and all relaxed.
Another check and the faster members had the bit between their teeth and were sure of the way home. Two more checks and we spotted the On In and headed for the chariots.
It didnt take long for the members to get changed receive hashnotes, buy T shirts and tumble into the pub ready for a meal. We had been allocated the skittle alley which although a bit tight did allow the general public some peace instead of having to put up with 50 hungry hashers.
We all sought out a seat and tucked into the first course pausing only to award the hashit to Jairo for running across a sown field and ignoring footpaths, which as it could stop us running in some areas outpointed Spidermans attempt at claiming our inimitable trophy.
After the ways and means of the English countryside had been explained he cheerfully accepted the hashit making sure that he had a picture to send back home to big sister (Carolina a former member). It did take a bit of instruction for hashers to work out his modern camera (no loud expulsions but the deed was done and onto the pud and the culmination of the 500th run. On On.

Humble Scribe