There are more than one Inter-Hash each year but there is some level of coordination between those involved to ensure that we don't accidentally end up competing with one another for attendees. Basically, any Hash anywhere in the world can decide they want to have an international Hash event just because they feel like it but it's not like there is some sort of central leadership that they need permission from. I recall one time in the past when someone, somewhere in the world contacted the main "Mother Hash" in Kuala Lumpur to ask if it is ok if they open a Hash chapter in their country to which the KL people responded "it's got nothing to do with us, do whatever you want!"
We do try to work together in order to promote international events though because a ton of time and effort goes into coordinating these things and we want all of them to be successful since for some people it can actually be quite expensive to get there and take part. This year's first big interHash is taking place in Muscat, Oman, and while I am still not sure if I am going to attend it is a part of the world that I never really considered visiting and it might be worthwhile.
They got started really early with the plans as we are already getting updates about it and we are still months away from when the actual event takes place. They have various price points that are all pretty cheap for people that are going to fly from all around the world to meet up with other Hashers and experience a country that they likely wouldn't have visited. For me and the few inter Hash events that I have attended in the past in Japan and also Indonesia, this was a wonderful way to experience the country since the people that are hosting the event all live there and can give you great advice on what to do while you are there.
The early bird price that includes alcoholic drinks is around $230 and while that might sound like a lot let me tell you why it isn't: It includes 3 parties, two of which include buffets and a certain amount of drinks for free and one of them includes a huge party at a nightclub where the entire place is booked out for just the Hashers and their guests and includes 3 hours of unlimited drinks. It also includes 2 runs that will no doubt be the best runs of the year for that group that is hosting. I know that I was involved in the creation process for the trails that took place here in Chiang Mai years ago when we hosted the inter event and it took a long time to get it just perfect. There is also the question of transporting that many people and it will likely be a lot of people. When it happened here in Chiang Mai there was nearly 200 people in attendance and we rented out basically every single bus that was available in the town at the time.
The more I look for images of Muscat, which is a city I never even think about, the more it looks like it could be an absolutely wonderful place to visit and and even better place to have an outdoor run or two in. It is easy to look at photos from around the world and think that you'd like to go there but it is always difficult to make the decision to go because pictures can be misleading and then you arrive there and you are at the mercy of tour guides to actually go and see anything. This is a HUGE advantage of being part of a Hash House Harrier event - the people that host the event are going to go out of their way to make sure that you see the highlights away from any sort of ripoff tour company and they are also going to offer free advice about what to do if you decide to stick around before or after the event takes place. Traveling can be a bit of a pain because of all the costs and tricks that each country has but when you attend a Hash event you are looked after and protected in a way. In the events I have attended in the past I ended up hanging out with the local Hashers for a bit of time after the event was over and it was just wonderful. In Japan, one of the locals members insisted that I stay at their house. That was just wonderful and I keep in touch with him and his wife to this day.
You do not need to be a Chiang Mai Hasher to be eligible for this event. It would probably be better if you were not a first-timer though as the group will be so large that they are going to expect that you are at least somewhat familiar with the Hash protocols.
If you out there in the internet world think that this is something you would like to get involved in you need only go to Intergulf 2025 website where all of the information is presented in an easy to understand way.
I'm on the fence about if I will be going or not but honestly, I really want to. I'm going to try to talk some of the other local Hashers into attending and if we can get a few people involved, I will be ON ON my way!
