HARRIERS International group meets to find right walking trail

THERE certainly are some colourful characters around the world and around the country in the Hash House Harriers. Hash House Harriers has been operating in Whangarei for almost 30 years.
It is a running and walking group that meets every Tuesday of the year, rain, hail or sunshine in the Pak 'n Save car park at 6 pm to follow a course around the town and surrounding areas before retiring to one of the local hotels for a meal and drinks.
Similar groups can now be found in most of the countries around the world and once every two years members from many of them gather together for Interhash which is being held this year in Perth, Australia.
On Friday, three busloads of hashers descended on Whangarei for one night as part of a pre-interhash tour.
The group was made up of hashers from America, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, France, Germany, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Africa and the United Kingdom, as well as some from New Zealand.
Whangarei Hash House Harriers arranged a run and walk, both of which left from the Town Basin at 4.30 pm.
After following the new walkway to Mair Park the runners veered off to tackle Parahaki while the walkers proceeded to follow the Hatea River Walk to A. H. Reed Memorial Kauri Park where the two groups joined up and the visitors were able to enjoy the Canopy Walkway before all continued on to the Whangarei Falls.
Buses then transported everyone to a local hashers workshop for the "On On" where all were treated to some genuine Kiwi kai of tuatua and pipi fritters, sheep on a spit, roasted kumara and more.
A great time was had by all and when the group headed south again the next day visiting Matakohe Museum and Parakai Hot Pools on their way south. They took with them what will be lasting memories of the beautiful bush they had run through as well as the great hospitality they had enjoyed.
Hash Runs are based on a hound-and-hare situation, that is someone presets the run and walk then it is up to the participants to follow the trail and not get sucked into following the false trails.
"On On" is the call made when the correct trail is found to let the rest of the runners know which way to go as well as being used to describe the get together at the end of every run.
Anyone interested in joining HHH for a run or walk is more than welcome to just turn up at the Hash notice board (next to the Pak 'n Save Walton Street exit) at 6 pm on any Tuesday evening.