We run every month, usually on the first Sunday but sometimes on a later Sunday, depending on public/school holidays. The only exceptions have been when the government didn’t let us (a few times in 2020/2021) or when the ‘haze’ was really too thick (one time only – luckily the air is usually clearer in the jungle than in the city).
The Runs are organised and supervised by adults and the safety of the children is given much attention. However, parents are required to accompany their children on the Runs and to look after them at all times.
Before the run starts, the GM (Grand Master / Grand Mistress) and the hare (the person who set the trails) make important announcements and give important information about the trails – it is important that both adults and kids pay attention to this!
Then everyone follows the paper trail (or trails – we usually have a long trail and a short trail, marked with different coloured paper) at their own pace – running, walking or anything in between. It isn’t a race, but some are fitter and more competitive than others! As long as you stay on the paper trail, know where your kids are, and stick close to other people if you’re inexperienced, you will come back to the run-site within 30 minutes to 2 hours (depending on trail length, difficulty and your speed), probably sweaty, wet and muddy.
After each Run we always have cold drinks available, and we usually have hot-dogs (check our announcements), so please bring some cash for those.
But kids get hungry and thirsty easily, so please bring drinks/snacks for your own kids, especially if you don’t have time for a proper lunch before leaving home.
We recommend that all kids (and many adults) should take water on the run. If you choose to take a phone or other valuable/fragile/non-waterproof items on the run, please take care of them, especially when clambering over rough terrain or crossing a stream!
Also please remember to bring insect repellent (not always needed, but …), towels and a change of clothes & shoes (we tend to get very dirty!).
Most families remain for a while after the run and enjoy playing in the stream, eating and drinking, or just chatting and making new friends.
After everyone is back, there is a short “circle” where participants are given awards to mark their achievement, and new guests are introduced, birthdays are celebrated, and the hares are thanked for setting the run. Unless you really have somewhere you need to be, you should wait for the circle to complete before departing – this shows appreciation to the hares and respect for the kids (which may include yours) who get awards.
From time to time, there are special Runs where freebies are given or a buffet meal may be provided – some of these require advance registration – especially our big Christmas run/lunch/party.
Information and the location of each month’s Run can be found on this website and also at our FaceBook page. You can also join our E-Mail list and we’ll send you a reminder each month with the directions, and we now have a WhatsApp group for regular attendees.
The children are also encouraged to act as ‘scribes’ and recall their experiences either with a report or a drawing which can be submitted and will be posted on the website.