New friends join Hashers on Tour

More than 50 people laced up their running shoes, pulled up their socks, and donned gloves with the Saipan Hash House Harriers on Saturday to take part in a three stage run unlike the organization has ever seen in the two decades since its inception with the La Tourette de Saipan.

The same people known for running across the world shouting “on-on” and leaving trails of white powder behind them offered new comers more than a walk in the park over the weekend that broke from the usual evening start in favor of a pre-noon jaunt through the jungle that went deep into the evening.

“It was a typhoon, raging torrents, and beautiful streams. An area that was a dry climb (when it was originally set) turned into a waterfall, so we had people go the other way,” said course coordinator Alan Barak.

With the help of several seasoned hashers, Barak set three courses of varying difficulty to enable the previously unwilling and unaware to enjoy the sights and sounds of Saipan through the eyes and ears of the island hoppers.

The first leg started the runners at the new filling station along Cross-Island Road intersection that leads to Kagman, and wind along the trails that led to Marine Beach.

“We had about a dozen people to do it, and they splashed and dove through pools and it was really beautiful, but there was a lot of work to clear the debris from the typhoon,” said Barak.

The final destination or “On Home” is always cloaked in a shroud of secrecy, as the object of the run is for the runners, or “Hares” to catch the trail setters, or “Hounds” after they have been given a 10 minute head start.

After a break for refreshments, the second leg began at Marine Beach, and the new hashers trekked for hours through trees, shrubs, and flowers before finishing at the Salas Family pavilion atop the cliffs near the King Fisher Golf Links.

The crowd was joined by several regulars who joined the group for the third and final leg of La Tourette de Saipan, which ended with new island perspectives for all involved/

“The third one finished at Mrs. Thompson’s place on King Fisher Road. People climbed up the hills above King Fisher-Talafofo Road and had awesome views—places that hashers have never been to before,” said Barak.

While Barak said he is not sure if they will be able to bring Le Tourette back until the organizers meet to evaluate the course, there is still plenty of opportunity for running aficionados and those with even a pedestrian interest in boonie stomping to take part in the weekly fun.

The Saipan Hash House Harriers continue their weekly adventures through the roads and trails every Saturday after meeting in the Bank of Guam parking lot in Garapan at 4pm. The cost to participate is $10, and includes the run, return transportation to vehicles, and post hash refreshments. As with any of the trips across Saipan, the organizers recommend carrying water and wearing the appropriate clothing for a jungle run, to include proper footwear.