A Tale of Two Hashes

I was happy to be around for the Philly Hash House Harriers (Philly H3) hash #1930 which just happened to be the annual 3Balls Birthday Hash. While there are many hashes this one is by far my favorite because it always ends with a party at 3Balls’ “Barn of Amazement”. You’ll see why I call it that from the photos below. This year’s run was held in Tyler State Park on Swamp Road in Newtown, PA. It started and finished through the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge. The trail itself was approximately 6-7 miles with plenty of false trail markings, thorn bushes, hills, river crossing, slippery rocks, and even a live band playing as our pack ran through Bucks County Community College. Alright enough of the description, check out the barn below!

We’ve started up a new hash kennel for those living around the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst area in New Jersey. April 30^th we held our inaugural event, MDL H3 hash #1, forever to be known as Brag-a-Deer General’s Birthday Hash. It also doubled as a Philly H3 event. We held the event on the trails surrounding Presidential Lakes in Browns Mills, NJ. Brag-a-Deer General and I took turns with both haring (marking) the trail as well as driving the beer sled to the beverage stops. The true trail ended up somewhere between 6-8 miles. Everyone but one found the correct way through the forest and swamps. One was lost for about an hour and had to pay a penalty (a beer shower) for the search party being sent out to find her. When all accusations and penalties had been paid, the circle closed and we headed over to Brag-a-Deer General’s house for some great food, beverage, and a sing-along around a warm fire.  

 

Bouncing Buns 7K "Clothing Optional" Trail Race

The 3^rd annual Bouncing Buns 7K trail race was held at the “Clothing Optional” Sunny Rest Resort in Palmerton, PA on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The race continues to grow each year. There were 46 finishers in 2010, 105 in 2011, and 145 finishing this year. It supports the Cancer Society and is a great way to enjoy nature. The race is managed and timed by www.pretzelcitysports.com. It’s run on well marked and well groomed trails entirely within the resorts 190 acres. The course starts and finishes in front of the owner, Myra Mesher’s house. It does a short loop on the road, and then makes its way into the woods at the top of the only steep hill. It is approximately 75% shaded on single and double track trails. There are a few spots where the rhododendron bushes form long tunnels the runners pass through. The last mile winds its way around the camping area with plenty of spectators cheering on the runners as they bounce along.

With temperatures in the 90s, the mid-way water station was well appreciated and participants passed it in each direction. There was also a gentleman spraying runners with his hose cool us down prior to the last hill sprint to the finish. Approximately 80% of this years participants were partially or completely nude as were the spectators. Participants came from 9 states, as well as Canada and Brazil. Ages ranged from 19 to 68 years young with a ratio of 30% female/70% male.

 

            The resort offers motel rooms, tent, camper, and RV sites. There are a number of cabins available for seasonal stays for members as well as a few year-round homes on site. Race participants and their guests have full use of the facilities on race day. While the race was conducted on the hill, the awards were handed out beside the pool. While the resort is “clothing optional”, no swim wear is allowed in the pool or hot. Most participants stayed for the BBQ after the awards and listened to the live music.

             Resort amenities include nature trails, heated swimming pool, heated conversation pool, sand volleyball, bar and restaurant next to the pool, couples massage, fitness room, hot tub, night club, tennis courts, yoga classes, basketball, billiards, ping pong, children’s playground, and store. Sunny Rest Resort opened in 1945 and is a family-friendly resort. They have events every weekend from mid-May to mid-September. Events include such things as Murder Mystery and Dinner Show, volleyball (sand and water) and tennis tournaments, Beer Festival, dive-in movies at the pool, live and DJ music, poolside “Grillin’ and Chillin’ BBQ, karaoke and open mike nights, costume and theme nights in the night club, and much more. For more information on events, rates, and directions visit them at www.sunnyrest.com. Until next years race, take it off and go for a run.