The most grueling race in the world is a marathon. What makes these people think their bodies are built to run for 26.2 miles? Don't they realize that no other animal puts that much pressure on their bodies? The human body was not created to absorb the constant pounding, the heavy exertion, the lack of rest periods or fuel replenishing. Yet, every year more and more runners try to tempt fate and run the NYC Marathon. Godspeed to them, crazy ass bastards one and all.
There is something slightly more grueling than running a marathon. That is: watching a marathon being run! Especially one of this size. The front runners are easy to spot, but move to fast to really get a good look. Then comes the continuous blur of the sub 3:30 group, again moving just fast enough so the eyes focus after the person has passed. By the time the pace slows to a visible point, the crowd is so tightly packed that your Mother could pass by and you wouldn't recognize her. Yet, every year we show up and cheer for those runners lucky enough to catch our eye. Constant cheering hides the fact that we have no idea who we are cheering for. Crazy we're not... just damn strange!
But its an annual tradition to go out and support those runners and we gladly show up each year at Mile 23. Not to feel totally lazy, there is always a pre-watch Hash. This year it started at 86th St & 5th Ave. Trisha set a beautiful trail of roughly 3 miles through the North woods of Central Park. Running under, and over, the colorful foliage, we meandered through every wooded section of Central Park outside of the Ramble. (3 out of the past 4 hashes have been in Fall woods. Might this be a sign of the Hash having an artistic eye? Might the hares have actually put thought into the surroundings of their run and chosen colors over grey and black streets?) The trail wrapped around the now-closed North Meadow and ended at the 23rd Mile where our keg was supposed to be awaiting. Instead we waited, and waited, and waited, until John Burke finally showed up about an hour later.
The afternoon started out nice and sunny (much better than last year!). Soon, though, the clouds came in and a chilling breeze picked up. Maybe the breeze was those front runners, I'm not sure. The beer tapped out within 2 hours (a Hash spectator record) and Chris and Jimmy (Elvis twins) volunteered for the mercy mission of obtaining more. Good men those two! The 40s they returned with were well received by the remaining spectators. At 3:00, many people gave up watching and headed for the warmth of the just opening On-In. By 4:00, the crowd was half-size; and at 4:30 a bunch more of us split for Jake's Dilemma.
As NYers we consider ourselves lucky to live in this great city. However, the pleasure comes with its responsibilities, as hare Trisha found out. One of the visiting marathoners had left his wife at Mile 23 and she supposedly would not leave until he returned. His wobbly legs meant she would be waiting for a VERY LONG time. Poor Trisha stepped up for this mercy mission and ran back to get her, alone. Poor Trisha.... the wife showed up about 5 minutes after Trisha had left. Since neither of this misplaced pair said anything to her once she returned, I'll take this space and say "Thanks Trisha!"
The On-In was a typical Jake's On-In. Much drinking, much eating, tons of talking, more drinking, a bit of pool, a bit of fool's ball, more drinking, some darts, and finally more drinking. There was a ceremony at some point, but I seem to have missed it. Probably too busy watching the Jets win a squeaker against KC. (YIPPEE!!!!) Having taken over Hash Cash during Trisha's expedition, I think I met nearly everyone. Visitors from up and down the East Coast as well as Buffalo and California. Everyone seemed to enjoy our hospitality. The only complaint: no singing. Ah well, you can't please everyone.
There were familiar "faces" from last year, especially the small group from Boston area. Yes, Studfinder returned with her contingent of Northern naked hashers. If you didn't recognize her early on, you certainly should have when she decided to streak the bar. Last year, she performed a silver-veiled dance. This year she dropped the act and just paraded around. Truthfully, I liked last year better. Speaking of nudity, Rick mooned the crowd while running past. Some things are definitely better left to the imagination...or ignored entirely! At least he kept his stomach hidden for most of the night.
As the hour grew late and the marathoners stiff-leggedly left, I felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of energy expended during the day. Before collapsing under its weight, I bid "Adieu" to those remaining and headed home. From what I understand, the party continued on late into the night. A marathon On-In for a Marathon Day. Perfect... Crazy... and a little bit Strange.
| Overall Place | Sex Place | Name | Sex/Age | Age Place | Time | City |
| 559 | 529 | Hardy, David | M37 | 260 | 2:55:07 | NEW YORK |
| 762 | 729 | Kolman, Stephen M | M32 | 347 | 2:58:52 | NEW YORK |
| 917 | 879 | Humnicky, William | M27 | 213 | 3:01:19 | NEW YORK |
| 1155 | 1110 | Chann, Ricky | M28 | 262 | 3:05:24 | NEW YORK |
| 1205 | 1158 | Feinsod, Jeffrey M | M31 | 555 | 3:06:11 | NEW YORK |
| 1263 | 1213 | Petkovich, Slobodan B. | M31 | 581 | 3:07:12 | VALLEY COTTAGE |
| 1973 | 1869 | Long, David | M32 | 840 | 3:15:33 | NEW YORK |
| 2309 | 134 | Wickham, Marie F. | F43 | 26 | 3:19:05 | NEW YORK |
| 3200 | 2972 | Bencivenga, Joseph W. | M32 | 1281 | 3:25:56 | WHITE PLAINS |
| 5506 | 536 | Slemp, Leslie S. | F32 | 242 | 3:39:29 | NEW YORK |
| 5887 | 608 | Brough, Lesley | F34 | 270 | 3:41:30 | NEW YORK |
| 8416 | 1040 | Szubert, Susan | F26 | 362 | 3:52:29 | NEW YORK |
| 12794 | 10849 | Nelson, Jerry A | M43 | 1880 | 4:08:42 | BROOKLYN |
| 15443 | 12822 | Croft, David B | M40 | 2207 | 4:18:52 | NEW YORK |
| 16271 | 13425 | Cloud, Vincent T | M51 | 1183 | 4:22:00 | NEW YORK |
| 19495 | 3911 | McVeigh, Kerry J | F28 | 1345 | 4:34:46 | BREEZY POINT |
| 20172 | 4129 | Juzen, Ariane | F37 | 1704 | 4:37:43 | NEW YORK |
| 24357 | 18628 | Weiss, Norman J | M56 | 709 | 4:57:29 | NEW YORK |
| 25171 | 6077 | Miles, Rebecca G | F27 | 2075 | 5:02:24 | NEW YORK |
| www.hashhouseharriers.com | aol alternate site | e mail to webdom@hashnyc.com |
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