R*n 436: Caton

It was my sister Louise who told me that I was going to be running through the Lancashire countryside, to mark the birthday of some bloke that you all refer to as 'Cyberseptic'. OK, I thought, I like running and it would be nice to see a new part of the country.

The night before I learnt that this run, a 'ball-breaker', would be carved up into three sections by beer stops. Hmmm, interesting.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced both during and after this jaunt through the countryside. The spectacular countryside only matched by the eccentricity and personality of the participants. I can't tell you much about the route, as I didn't know where the bloody hell I was most of the time. However the enthusiasm you all have for the much-maligned act of running is infectious. Well done to all who participated - especially to Sir Tom Tom who proved to be as hard to find as Salman Rushdie at his peak. I did come away learning to never trust a hare and that beer and jogging are not mutually exclusive.

Thank you to Cyberseptic and Antiseptic et al for the great hospitality. Hope it was a happy birthday.

After the long drive home I was racking my brain to figure out where I had heard of HHH before. Alas, it was in 'Running with the Kenyans' by Adharanand Finn.

"with over 1700 groups meeting in most major cities around the world, the Hash House Harriers is an international phenomenon. More a social club than a typical running club - they describe themselves as a drinking club with a running problem."

[On Sec says: Thank you to Virgin: Angus for your positive comments after a gruelling 15.5 mile ballbreaker. Also on the ballbreaker r*n were Virgin: Louise, Thunder Dick, Sir Tom Tom (who astonished us with his 12.5 mile non-stop, beerless sprint), Antiseptic, Major Twit, Virgin: Phil (did 8 miles starting at the first beer stop) and Virgin: Sally. Also Virgin: Phil2 and Virgin: Sally2, both of whom bashed it. Last but not least, thank you to Septic Canary and EeeeColi who delivered the beer stops very efficiently. EeeeColi even helped deliver the first one in his sleep - remarkable!]