Most sporting events have some sort of rain clause where the events can be rained out with even the smallest amount of water trickling from the sky. We do not fall into that category and we are yet to EVER have an event cancelled due to inclement weather. As a matter of fact we didn't even stop hashing during two coup d'etats and stayed open during Covid until we were instructed to not do so. Those were dark times indeed and we started to realize exactly how much most of us need this.
We are coming into rainy season here in Thailand and Chiang Mai gets plenty of that as flooding in certain areas is all but guaranteed. Our runners have two choices in these matters: Accept that you are going to get a bit damp (or soaked) and run anyway, or stay home. Almost all of our rather dedicated crew turn up anyway and accept getting wet.
Some people choose to do the course in their 7-11 form fitted trash bags (above on the right) but for most of us including and especially me, this is far to constricting and hot. I would much rather just get soaked since the most uncomfortable part of all of this is the wet socks factor but you just have to run through that. These courses are only for about an hour and 5-7km anyway.
Once you already have squishy socks and you trudge forward anyway you'd be surprised how you don't even remember it ever happened in the first place. I always pack some dry clothes back at the start point and especially remember to bring some dry socks because while I don't mind squishy feet while running, once I get back to camp it starts to bother me then. I think most people are like this.
We specifically choose areas with higher elevation for the most part during these times of year but it doesn't really matter where you go in Chiang Mai during rainy season, the ground is going to be wet and if the hare wants to punish you they can make you go through ditches and even streams if they want to, because it is always the last place that the runners are going to check. There is nothing worse than getting all adventurous looking for the "on on" on the other side of a creek only to have to cross back over it and get muddy and wet a second time when it was completely unnecessary. However, it is also extremely rewarding when you are the person who takes that chance and is right!
More important during these wet times is to choose locations that have some sort of covered areas for us to use at the end during the circle. Some would make the case that the circle is the best part of any run as it is where we get to drink beer and socialize for a bit (ok, 2 hours) and the companionship is the real reason why we all do this.
I haven't been to all of the Hashes in the world (I don't think anyone ever has, that would be really tough to pull off since there are thousands of them) but I think the level of enthusiasm that we have here where we will Hash no matter what is a prevailing opinion globally.
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