What are "the checks?"
These are the things on the ground that make our runs interesting. A run is a run, but a run that you don't exactly know where it is going to go is even more fun. It's more like a hunt than a run and it is essential that you understand how these "checks" work if you are going to do a hash run, especially if you are in the front.
when you encounter a circle check that means that the trail continues somewhere in a 360 degree area of the circle, within 100 meters. The continued path will be indicated with paper or powder and the person who finds it is meant to shout "ON ON" to the rest of the pack. Someone who is near the circle should kick out (if it is powder) or rip out (if it is paper) to indicate to others that are behind you about where the path continues from that point
A V-check will normally happen at a point in a path or road where the path could conceivably carry on in either direction but only one of them is the correct one. While the rules vary around the world in most locations and in Chiang Mai the incorrect path will be marked with a long line across the path indicating that it is a "false trail." Once the "On On" is called (the correct direction) the "V" should be kicked out to leave on the correct direction remaining in the powder or paper.
We don't actually use these very often in Chiang Mai and neither does the rest of the world (at least not in the 40+ countries I have been to.) But in the instance that they are used it will usually be at a crossroads. This indicates that all the ways of going forwards are false trails except for one (similar to a V-check) and all 3 directions must be checked by runners to find the correct one. The wrong paths will be indicated by a long line on the trail or a "FT" (indicating "false trail) so that everyone can figure out the true path.
These are the basics of ours, and really any other Hash on the planet. It is very important to understand that each and every Hash in existence is not bound by any sort of overall rules so the best thing to do is to pay attention to the chat at the beginning of each run, which is often (most of the time) referred to as the "Hare Brief." If the Hash you are visiting is doing their job correctly they will give you the information about how it is that they operate there.
Normally they are a friendly bunch and let's be honest; unless you are some sort of world-class athlete.. in which case you are really out of your element running with us... you probably wont be at the front of the pack anyway :P
