Mekong IndoChina Hash

In Hanoi, when it was time to decide where to host the next event, there was a surprise bid from the Kunming Hash. Despite the fact that the Kunming Hash has only just been formed (Run No. 1 having taken place just days previously), the GMs were reliably informed that Roomboy, the self-elected GM of Kunming H3, was a reliable chap and that if he was keen to do it, the job was his.

So, in a departure from the usual cycle of life, MIH decamped to China between 1st and 3rd November 2013. The cost of Chinese visas and the lack of cheap, direct flights for those who were used to more straightforward regional travel arrangements ensured that this was one of the smallest MIH events but those who spent the requisite amounts of cash and time to get themselves organized were able to experience a slightly different aspect of the Mekong experience on the other side of “The Hump.”

Friday night began with a run through the heart of downtown Kunming, sticking for the most part to the more atmospheric parts of the old town. After the usual big party on Friday night, the Hashers were transported to the south of the city on Saturday where they ran in the forested hills adjacent to Dianchi Lake. The first few kilometres consisted of an inexorable climb up the hillsides to a high ridge, visiting some well-known old Chinese temples along the way. After running around in the stratosphere, Hashers were then challenged by a slippery descent where super-slick, wet clay ensured that half the Hashers spent more time on their arses than on their feet. The after run dinner took place at the lake, which ensured that the busses were full of contented and drunk Hashers for the ride back to town.

Sunday’s hangover run turned out to be a little more challenging than many were hoping for. There were no hills but an 11-km run along flat territory on the opposite side of the lake took its toll on many. A long Circle held in the middle of the day in full sunshine ensured that there were an awful lot of sunburnt Hashers by the end of the day.

Those who still had energy to burn (60 plus) piled back into busses again on Monday night to be challenged by the Mekong Indochina Full Moon Hash 5½. A pretty trail through some forested country gave the Hashers a great sunset view over the city before they tucked into some local food at a local eatery – after arses were suitably chilled on the ice.