Run #66 The Mid-Autumn Run Rehased

Long weekend, wet day, people away; not a great recipe for a good turnout. With Bestiality and virgin hare Tao Tan in the chair, the rain seemed to hold off after 4.00pm  meaning that there would certainly be a run, but whether the trail could be followed or even found was the question to be answered. The run start was across the road from Pancho’s and brought memories to mind of one trail set by Doggie after a late night and on a 40 degree Sunday in 2007. All today’s hares had to do was to survive a comparison with that murderous run, and they’d be well in front. So the vastly reduced pack of S & M, new runner Tiger, introduced by Deep Throat, and today’s scribe Pushup took off with careful confidence outbound through the parks next to Tianmushan Lu. Sevenup also turned out for the run, but without runners, which had the effect of reducing the pack by 25%. Initially the trail was defined by a series of flour dots which survived the rain quite well, until suddenly red and blue chalk appeared as well as the flour, so the trail was easy to follow. Then the trail took the pack across to Xixi Lu and then back east with a couple of teasing false trails towards Laohe Hill. Finally of course the trail had to climb said hill, and the pack went up a rough track over a few rocky sections and then past a series of tombs. One spot was very familiar as it was here that the pack descended with some trepidation last January in heavy snow and ice, culminating in the snow ball fight of the winter. So finally the summit of Laohe Hill was attained with a RG, hardly necessary with the pack of three. There was some confusion at the ascent of Jiangjun Hill, with no trail found either on the direct route up, or the contouring track. However flour was discovered on the summit, so the pack can’t be accused of shirking the climb. So it was on on south along the ridge, until again the trail was lost while the hounds were discussing some canine issues, but which was found after some backtracking heading straight down on a rough earth track. By now it had become quite dark and so the descent required some care, and Tiger was concerned about the effect on his spanking new runners. This track came out in a run down old part of rural Hangzhou which then led to the back gate of the University just as the rain started falling. It was then a nice jog back through the university grounds in the dark and the rain, the pack being unable to see or follow the correct track which did a few loops around the uni. The hares and 7 Up were relaxing in a coffee shop when the sodden pack arrived. The chosen Chinese restaurant was too busy, so the pack chose Korean instead which turned out to be floor job, RMB50 per person and perhaps not the most inspiring cuisine, Titman joining for the meal. Afterwards it was the 7 Bar where Creature, Torvill and Luke with some visitors provided momentum for another over-the-top finale to a wet Sunday. The down down competitions were memorable, Luke’s mate Michael proving the nights winner with an honourable mention for Tao Tan who finished the night with a litre down down. So, hares, it was a well constructed trail in familiar territory with some original ideas and easily followed even in the rain.
on on – Pushup