Date: 01-05-2005
Ancient Harriers:
The first organized Hash chapters with appeared in the first years of 1930 - the Kuala Lumpur Harriers, the Kinta Harriers of Ipoh and the Springit Harriers founded in Malacca in the year 1935. These Hash chapters were the first in Malaysia and in the world. Albert Gispert was a member of the Springit Harriers and after being transferred to Kuala Lumpur in 1938, he founded the KLH3. All Clubs ceased operation during the World War II. After the war the KLH3 was called Mother Hash.
The beginning of Malacca Hash House Harriers:
In early 1975, Ray Quinn, a member of the Malacca Club, organized Hash runs for club members and friends, starting from the Rotundra in Tanjong Kling. The news spread and I hopped on to the Hash train on the 3rd run, which took place in Ayer Keroh. The official foundation of the Malacca Hash House Harriers (MH3) was formed on 13th May 1975. The membership soared tremendously and at Run No.76 in October 1976, 50 cars and 150 hashers turned up on the run site.
The following information covers the first 15 years until the end of 1989.
The runners:
About half of the early members were Mat Salehs mostly expatriates from factories, government advisors and teachers, (education was still in English). A few members enjoyed the beer more than the run and we had one or two walkers (Dr. Wong). The majority were all good and seasoned runners.
In the 70’s to 80’s we had as much as a dozen fast runners on each run. I cannot recall all the names, but there was Rajes, an outstanding woman runner, who was capable of keeping up with the best male front-runners. Pat Patridge and Monika Rothe (Iron Lady) were also good female contenders. On the male side, Ang, Georg Thomas, Peter Looi, Vincents Wong, TT Kang; Vijai Dev, Tony Tay, Looi Nai Boon, Colin Thomson, Jim the Fish, Larry the Wolf, Ian Bodycoat, Ian Mc’Loud, Chris Patridge, Bill Menzis and I have been challenging each other at the front.
The running ground:
In 1975, Malacca town was very small, just stretching in a semi-circle from Ujong Pasir to Bukit Baru, Peringgit and Trengkera. A belt of paddy fields, followed by endless rubber estates, surrounded the town. No highway, no Durian Tunggal Reservoir, no Petronas. And we had jungle, a vast area around Ayer Keroh, the Zoo and the Golf Club. We `lost´ members in the jungle on the run, and on one occasion, the hare team during their recce, `vanished´
The terrain of the runs was mostly virgin and very diverse.
The runs:
An important rule for Hares was to set up a run in such a way - to slow down the front-runners and give the slower ones a chance to catch up. This was achieved by zick zacking the trail in a small area, putting enough and difficult checks … so that most of the pack stayed together most of the time. To achieve this goal fully, all runners on paper called frequently loud “On On” as long as they run on paper, thus generating an acoustic pattern of the trail and allowed those behind to shortcut ´legaly` to the callers and be back on paper again. We followed the calls and not the paper!
We did not join paper at a check. After a 5 to 10 minutes check, everybody was there anyway and the new direction was “marked” by the calls.
Another rule was that the Hare was not allowed to be back before the pack has left. So the return track was not known and a potential shortcut towards the suspected back-trail was ruled out.
The starting was for everyone at the same time. No early birds.
The after run:
Due to the British influence, the beer drinking sessions were performed in style. A foldable high bar table was set up and the beer was served in glasses. We just drank beer and sang along all the dirty Hash songs to the guitar strumming of Action Lee and later supported by Vijai and Doc.Dave. We even had our own Malacca Hash song. (Malacca Hash is on the piss again,….)
For late dinners, we went home to our ´happily` awaiting wives. Occasionally as a special treat from the hare, food was served at the run site. Mostly simple fried rice or noodles and some tit-bits.
Celebrations:
In the 70’s our internal functions like anniversary runs or family get together, we celebrated in a posh and formal style. Men in proper long trousers, shirt and shoes; ladies in long dresses and competing for the lowest cut and the biggest jewelry. What fantastic “bobs” were on display! We also had our own beautiful “female” entertainer. It was Grace Lim in her hay days.
Celebration Runs:
After one year, we celebrated our 50th run with self printed T-shirts. The 100th run was our first successful invitation run. It is notable that for most of the celebration runs until today, some of the organizing hares have been the same – they are Looi Nai Boon (left) and Peter Looi, Tony Tay and Dirk Limann.
Special runs:
As a yearly affair, the Torchlight run, the Blood donation run and the 10-km-timed-run, were introduced. In 1984 the following results were recorded: Dirk Limann 53 min. / Vincent Wong 56 min. / T.T. Kang 58 min. / Vijai Deb 58 min. / Helen Lee 62 min. / Holly Leong 64 min.
Fund raising runs were also organized for the Rotary Club. Short to 10-km runs and even Half Marathons had great participation from Hash members.
The first group of MH3 members climbed Gunung Ledang in 1977.
The first Pulau Besar (not developed yet) Run took place in 1978.Br>
Remarkable Runs are the Road Relay Runs to Seremban 1977, to Johore Baru 1978 and to Petaling Jaya in 1979.
What great and enthusiastic runners we had during that time!
Runs which made history:
Each hare had his own style of laying a run. Peter Looi loved hills, Tony Tay’s runs have always been long with little checks but plenty of water and shiggy.
Looi Nai Boon has produced the craziest runs. Everyone, especially the ladies were scared of his runs. Extremely long and hilly but dry. His checks were a nightmare to even our best paper scouts. No wonder most of his runs ended in disaster, sometimes after 10 p.m.
Dirk Limann was known to make something special in his runs. Besides a few Bus Runs from B to A, he sets two runs from A to B. In 1985, one run ended in the wildlife restaurant in Macap Umbu. Another run (1986) went beside the Durian Tunggal Reservoir and at the end of the run, transport back was promised. To every one’s surprise and cheer, a cruiser boat was waiting at the far end of the lake to sail them back.
The first Angpow run was also set by Dirk Limann.
His greatest achievement was the organization of a Treasure Hunt run as a joint Malacca Hash function (1989). At this day, a lot of hashers run around in town, up St. Paul’s hill, St. John’s hill and a full round on Bkt. China to get their treasures. Besides hunting by car in the countryside, two Hash runs were also laid with opportunities to collect points.
The next 15 Years:
Noticeable changes took place during this time. On the run:
- There is a new setting of back-check and false trail. Both are supposed to start from a check. But now the paper just tinkles off and new paper starts in the opposite direction. Thus this will not slow down the frontrunners.
- The On On call is performed only after a check has been broken, hence on the run, there is no possibility for the rear to shortcut to the calls.
- Long straight runs and simple checks make it impossible for the slower ones to catch up with the front.
- Due to age and knee problems, the majority of the members are now walkers. “Fresh blood” is missing.
- Because of the early and late individual starters, group spirit is missing.
After the run:
- Introduction of Hash-circle and sitting on ice.
- Establishing of On On Dinner.
This development differs from those of the starting years. However, as long as the majority is happy with it, there is nothing wrong. At other overseas chapters at their normal week runs, you will find that all do hashing differently.
The 30th Anniversary:
This is sure a big event for the Malacca Hash House Harriers. The club is the oldest active Hash chapter in Malacca and I am certain the function will be a great success. Besides this, it will be also my 30th anniversary running Hash. Being 62 years old, I am lucky to be able to still run for one hour and to keep pace with the younger front-runners.
Unfortunately, I will be in Germany during the event but let’s hope that I will still be in good health and be able to run in the years to come.
On On
Dirk “the Kaiser”