Aerial example of the difference between Rambo and Wimp trails

In many Hash Chapters around the world there will be some trails where 2 trails end up getting set. These are the Rambo and Wimp trails and just like the name would suggest, one of them is quite difficult and the other is really easy. We do this because sometimes we want to make the trails a bit more difficult because some of our members want that, but we can't make the only trail difficult because of the older people and the opportunity for injury. There was once a trail that was setup that was a bit too tough and it was the only trail available and someone split their head open quite badly and we would prefer to avoid that.

Of course it is ultimately up to the individual to look out for their own safety though. In nature, there is always the possibility for a trip or a slip of some sort and I myself, despite being one of the more fit people in the group, have busted my ass a couple of times and ended up hospitalized because of one of them. If a trail is too difficult, you can always turn back the way you came. The trail where the person busted their head open was poorly set up in that the difficult part was near the end and therefore turning back would be a huge amount of time added to their trek, so when we do introduce something difficult, we will make it a point to have a Wimp/Rambo option available.

If you look at the start point we started the run out going north from there and when we loop around to the area circled in red, that is where the Wimp/Rambo split happened. If you select Rambo you have another 3km or so of quite hilly terrain whereas the Wimp trail is basically completely flat and takes you back to the same ending point that the tough people are going to get to about 45 minutes later.

This isn't something we do often because we have to essentially set up two trails and just doing one is time-consuming as hell and normally takes 2 days of "scouting" to accomplish it. It is really appreciated when we do it though because it gives a wider variety of things for the participants to do.

If you are on the wimp trail you can expect some sort of red-carpet style flat walk back to the start point where ice-cold beers will await you. If you choose the more difficult path, you get the same beers but just about an hour later. It's completely up to the people participating but for FRB's (Front Running Bastards) like me, taking the Wimp path would almost certainly result in me getting put on the ice a lot of times in a row - which is something I would welcome.

To be fair I get put on the ice for taking either trail because as a veteran that goes normally to all 3 weekly runs every week, I am a familiar face that gets punished for participating too much. You will get punished for not participating enough as well because it isn't really punishment, it is all in good fun.

You too could be enjoying these runs with us if you simply choose to turn up. With over 5000 chapters around the world this group is likely operating somewhere near you. If you are in the Chiang Mai area, either living or just visiting, the HHH runs are available to all. Check out the the official schedule here