The Ballbreaker is an annual event that is considerably more difficult than our normal hash runs. This year's trail makers (hares) are two of our more active members and arguably the most fit members of any of our kennels: Brownfinger and Taste My Buns.
The "race" was just over 20km long, and when you consider the fact that the average run is a mere 5 or 6km, this was a real chore for most of the crew.
We traveled quite a bit further south than usual so as to be on trails that can't be easily guessed by our more veteran (and thereby more likely to try to cheat) members. The location was at lake Moei and it is a truly wonderful place scenically speaking.
We were promised "gently undulating terrain" and most of our members had to look up what that word means. Basically it just means it isn't going to be too hilly and will not feature massive climbs. This is very important because since the trail is already long enough, we will likely get enough people giving up without needing to throw in extra opportunity for injury.
While this group of rude idiots normally refuse to shut up for the hare briefing where the trail is described, the crew was surprisingly attentive and polite. I think the nerves of realizing that today was not going to be easy was getting to them.
The pack also didn't charge out the gate as they normally would, perhaps because they are well aware that there is very little chance of them getting any sort of meaningful lead in the first leg.
Unfortunately, we did witness first-hand what is a major culpret in the poor air quality that plagues the north of Thailand and that is the burning of undergrowth down by farmers who are searching for mushrooms to sell. The smoke was visible before we even arrived and while most of the land we encountered had been burned days prior, there was some areas where are trail was actually on fire at the time. No one was injured but it was kind of sad to see that this practice still continues despite the fact that Chiang Mai has become a bit famous for air pollution in the past few years.
For those that completed all three stages, it took between 3 and 4 hours to complete. I think that I can speak for everyone when i say that this was not easy. There were a few scrapes and bruises, but we avoided any sort of serious injury, which is a good thing.
We drank a bunch of beer as the sun set and of course we spent the next hour enjoying food and making fun of one another, as is tradition.
Only 5 members completed the highest honors possible by not only completing the full trail, but also drinking at least 1 beer at each of the bailout stops as well as at the end. "Graven Image," "Anal Boring," "Strangely Anal," "Robin Banks," and "Adorable Blue Balls".... here's to you.
I think I speak for everyone when i say that the 2020 Ballbreaker was a triumphant success and a special thanks goes out to "Brownfinger" and "Taste My Buns" for providing us with an excellent and for the most part, very do-able trail. Until next year!
There are 3 events this week on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday and the pickup time is the usual 3:15 in front of TaPae Gate McDonalds. Additional details as well as detailed instructions for those who wish to arrive at the run site on their own can be found at the official Chiang Mai HHH website