So you want to be a hare (short version)

By Roy Gilbert, 24 Sept. 2004

Decide on an on-in and make a deal – large enough space/adequate beer selection (cheap stuff/good stuff).
Target prices: max of $13.00 for a 64 oz pitcher for microbrews/ $11.00 for light/$5 per head for food.
Choose a start location where you can easily get a cab.
Recce (scout out) the run in advance so you know where you are going when you set the trail.
If you have time, confirm the beer deal with the bartender or manager on the day you’re setting trail.

Have at least two hares unless you are certain it will be a small pack.
Virgin hares must team with an experienced hare.
It takes about twice as long to set a trail walking as it will for the pack to run it.
If it looks like rain use flour and use plenty of it – chalk disappears instantly.
Use a minimum of 10lb of flour to set a complete trail. Note: Flour is frowned upon these days. Try toilet paper if it is raining.
If using chalk, use sheet rock (aka plaster board or dry wall). If none of this is available then use nothing smaller than large sidewalk chalks – white only, other colours are invisible. DO NOT use classroom chalk.
Use raspberry Kool-Aid in the snow.
Checks shouldn’t be too difficult. You want to delay the FRBs (front running bastards) and bring the pack together.
It’s best to stick with three marks and you’re on with all falses marked.
The trail should be four to five miles. Front runners in after 45 minutes, the pack after an hour. Nobody complains about a short trail (assuming it’s well set).

Give chalk to runners for pack marks, keeping a piece to write the on-in location and hotline (212-HASHNYC) at the start, and mark the on-in at the finish.
Explain our markings to newcomers; tell them to take quarters for the hotline; explain that the on-in location will be written at the start.
Start the pack fifteen minutes after the scheduled start time.
Wait ten minutes or so after the start for any late comers.
Write the on-in location on the sidewalk and set an arrow to the first mark.
Set the hot line–ask a committee member for instructions.

First get plenty of water and a few pitchers of beer ready for the pack.
Confirm the price and beer selection with bartender; tell him whom he may serve; set up an initial tab with a limit (typically $100); and give him/her a starter tip ($20.00 for a pack of twenty or more).
Tip each time you pay –if we get good service you should tip 15-20%.
Hash cash ($20) covers beer, food, and money for the hash kitty. Typical breakdown for $20.00 hash cash is $1.00/kitty, $5.00/food, $11.00 – $13.00/beer, $1.50 – $2.00/tip.
Collect hash cash from everyone (hares included) – be vigilant about this.
Give left-over hash cash to Hash Cash (the person) or a Joint Master.
If the $$ runs out collect supplemental hash cash or tell everyone they’re on their own.
Pizza is the easiest hash food: approx 5 hashers per pie — 1.5 slices each, delivery two hours after the start.
Check the bar tab once or twice – remember, anything not covered by hash cash comes out of your own pocket.

How to Hare in NYC – Short Version