Congratulations to all who participated Saturday in the 19th Annual Naivasha Relay "The Dust Run".  11 teams were represented with two from Kampala.  Our own ONH3ers fared unexpectedly well having scrambled to come-up with a team this year (we normally field two!).  5th overall is not shabby. Although several Hashers bent over after crossing the finish line, those in the line-up paced themselves well and demonstrated the "right attitude" along the way. Here's this year's Relay's shining stars and their stories:

 

Seed 1:  Dik Dik

Stunningly confused the other teams by not running the first leg, rather waiting for the fourth (he did this last year...).  He then further flummoxed all Seed Ones by limping thru the finish line with a twisted ankle casting doubt on his ability to run the other Seed One legs.  Ha!  Little did they know.....We figure Dik Dik ran over 18 km. on the day!

 

Seed 2: Rob Armstrong

Heroically agreed to run the first leg with the Seed Ones - never an easy task but done exceedingly well.  Also grinned his way through the finish line with a nearly career-ending hamstring pull that no one knew about until later.  His running early that morning set the example for the rest of the team - grin at the end.  Joy, his spouse so he says and just in from Lake Tahoe, joined us for the ride.  She searched somewhere in some box or trunk in the US and unearthed a 1989 Naivasha Relay T-Shirt.  Vintage wear.  See, both of them were here before and know all about this run.

 

Seed 3:  Tenderloin

Possessing five times the VO2 max of most other ONH3ers, Tenderloin came up from Mombasa to take part in his first Naivasha Relay, ran three times, picking-up one of Seed Two's legs and finishing no less than third each leg. Youngest amongst us, he listened with awe and respect at old Relay stories spun by Empties, Rob and, yes, his old man. He actually enjoyed the Relay.  Hasn't run enough of them, I guess. Tried to contact R-Hole on the Coast.  Where, in fact, was the SWANK Hash for the Relay?? 

 

Seed 4:  Buggered Balls

A phenom runner since the age of two, BB showed us his stuff on Saturday and also ran well.  His first run necessitated negotiating donkey carts and many totos as he left Karai Village behind.  His second run later in the afternoon was across the exceedingly hot and dusty Masailand plains - seen of Mutahi's Resuscitation. BB entertained us later that evening with his parents, Malcolm and Mary, and his entire other immediate family.  Maneater also informed us that she's NEVER run a Hash Run before and appeared to be proud of it. What cheek!

 

Seed 5:  Nuisance, Empties

The Honorable GM ran well twice and flashed ONH3ers throughout the Relay.  What would one expect from him otherwise?  Nuisance was seen wearing two hats at once, then finally appearing in a very natty bush hat with a neck flap that was the envy of all.  During the On On at trail's end, Nuisance punished several runners with down downs and later punished Bugs and Dik Dik the next morning by making them wash his SUV a la Africain. Speaking of hats and headbands, we won't easily forget Empties.  It was clear that he had been training for the Relay, certainly not allowed, but appreciated nonetheless.  He ran one leg in ankle deep dust and another up-hill.  He's a human wonder, that one.  We were once again regaled with his stomach-splitting stories and tales.

 

Seed 6:  Diana

Well, everyone needs to know from the start that she DID NOT wear Red during the Relay (unless she wore red underwear but only "You-Know-Who" would be able to confirm this, wouldn't he now...).  Diana was mostly in white and neither of her two runs phased her in the slightest.  She literally bounded through the finishes making us wonder whether she should have actually been seeded no. one.  The next day, she and someone else "Unnamed" were terribly difficult to get to the breakfast table.  Wtareloo made sure they appeared.

 

Seed 7:  Damian, Jan Hansen

Damian's place off Miotoni in Karen was our early morning staging location.  Thanks to him.  He also was Empties' navigator and showed that he didn't know how to drive when Empties was running-up that awful dusty hill.  Instead, Damian had someone pulling Empties' SUV with a tow rope and Damian behind the wheel prtetending to drive.  Damian ate plenty of dust during the day.  Not having enough, he decided to run the final leg with all the vehicles passing him in a cloud.  He later camped that evening and nearly missed breakfast.  Jan Hansen, ever a smile on his face, also proved a worthy Relay runner when he finally decided to discard his blue jeans.  Very nearly got him the 007 Award for that.  Jan also ate a lot of dust.

 

Seed 8:  Munchie, Bugs

They waited nearly all day to run their leg although I think Bugs ran one well before because he had ants-in-his-pants.  Munchie was more patient.  Both pulled in to the finish on the next to last leg with hardly any effort shown proving their incredible ability to become higher seeds next year.  We'll remember.  At the last minute, Munchie decided that creature comforts were important and opted for a Chalet at Burch's - she "permitted" Nuisance and Bugs to stay there, too.  I think Jan joined also but am not sure.  Munchie should tell us who stayed where and who was on top and who on the bottom - you see the Chalets are configured just so.....

 

Seed 9:  Outrigger

Captain, overall organizer and flew the Hash Flag.  Also carried a humongous cold box in the back of his truck full of beer and sodas.   Ran one leg, came in third and met his objective of running the Relay after whining for several years about his heel.  Produced Tenderloin.

 

Waterloo and his crew provided worthy meals for the Team at Burch's. Very worthy. We thank them.  We also thank Glossy who came-up with some T-shirts and hats at the last moment.

 

All in all, a good time.