Run #2744 by Alagappa at Waterfall Rd Big Car Park

What happens when a virgin hare meets a pack of overconfident Harriets at Waterfall Road Big Car Park? History, that’s what. Thirty-one eager souls gathered for Run #2744, blissfully unaware that today’s lesson would be titled: “Understanding the New Meaning of a Hash Bar.” After the GM and run-setter briefing, instructions were crystal clear: cross the small bridge opposite Moongate, turn right, and look for paper hiding coyly in the left underbrush. Easy, they said. Scenic, they said. There’ll be a hash bar later, they said… The trail kicked off politely enough before rearing up into a proper 330 m climb over 4.5 km. Roots, leaves, and suspiciously quiet jungle wrapped us in a leafy embrace as we puffed our way upward. Then came the moment. About seven of us converged at a hash bar at the same time. Seasoned hash instinct kicked in — “Right, ladies, spread out! Find the bloody trail!” A textbook search party formed with admirable cooperation and very little actual success. Thirty minutes later, sweat dripping and dignity evaporating, not a scrap of connecting paper was found. A committee meeting was promptly held mid-jungle. The decision? “Forget this nonsense. We push to the peak of Mount Olivia and U-turn back the way we came.” Off we went, slightly grumpy but still pretending this was part of the plan. Ten minutes into the descent, someone spotted it — our own club logo paper… leading us DOWN the exact trail we had climbed. That’s when enlightenment struck like a falling durian. The hash bar earlier did not mean “go find another trail.” Oh no. It meant: “You idiots, DO NOT CLIMB. U-TURN NOW.” Circle that night was merciless and magnificent. The virgin run setters were summoned, gloriously confused but proudly innovative. For inventing a brand new interpretation of hash markings, they were rewarded with well-deserved down-downs and generous abuse. The GM also reminded everyone to support upcoming club events and invitation runs — a message beautifully reinforced when our virgin hare cheerfully paid his rego fee on the spot. Big thanks to Alagappa and the run-setting crew for a memorable, creative, mildly educational, and highly entertaining run, topped off with good food and even better storytelling material for years to come. Verdict: Educational run. Revolutionary hash bar. Confused hashers. Excellent circle and beer. On On!