Normally during the summer months, the London Hash House Harriers meet on Mondays at 1900 (7.00 pm). But Run #1670 hared by Prince and Hard On will be quite the exception. On Friday, 24 June, mad elements of the London hash will meet at 0700 at the Cock Tavern, located in the bowels of Smithfield Market. You read that correctly – 7:00 in the morning! The Breakfast Run is an annual tradition held continuously since 1988 on the Friday closest to the Summer Solstice.

Details Date: Friday, 24 June, 2005 Time: 7 am Hares: Prince and Hard On Location: The Cock Tavern, Poultry Market, Central Market, Smithfield, London EC1 (020-7248 2918) Tube Stations: Farringdon (Circle, Metropolitan lines) or Thameslink Directions: From the Farringdon tube stop, take a left on Cowcross Street. Take a right on Charterhouse Street. Now head right, walking past the market buildings. East Poultry will be on your left. The entrance to the Cock will be on your right-hand side, down the stairs. More information: London Hash House Harriers: http://www.londonhash.org/

Smithfield Market

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Smithfield Market, a meat market constructed in 1868, is a London institution. Its streets come alive at 7 am to the staccato rhythm of dark-suited men and mini-skirted women walking to their office towers. But for the market workers clad in white coats, it's time for a hearty meal and a pint before heading home after a strenuous night of butchering carcasses.

Then of course, there's the beer, and that's where the hash comes in. While most of the hashers eventually head off for work, a small contingent head off to pub crawl their way around London for the rest of the day.

The Cock is among the handful of pubs surrounding the market with a special license to serve alcohol during morning hours. Other regulars include medical personnel from nearby St Bartholomew's Hospital and laptop-toting businessmen assembled for a power breakfast. They've come for the gargantuan and inexpensive English breakfast of sausage, bacon, egg, beans, black pudding, eggs, kidneys, tomatoes, and fried bread served on tables covered in red-and-white check cloths.

Handling meat is thirsty work (as is hashing)

Worth Noting

• Smithfield Market is huge. It's three times the size of St. Paul's Cathedral, covering more than 10 acres with nearly two miles of storefronts. It even has its own police force.
• London' s last major market remains the world' s largest meat market. Approximately 8 per cent of all the meat consumed in Britain comes from Smithfield Market.
• The first market was founded here as "Smooth Field" in the 1123.
• Smithfield was the site of the annual fair of St. Bartholomew along with various horse races, jousting tournaments, horse races, and floggings.
• Wat Tayler was beheaded at Smithfield in 1381 for leading the Peasant's Revolt against Richard II.
• John Roose, a cook, was boiled to death here in 1570 for allegedly attempting to poison the Bishop of Rochester.
• Depending on what was in style at the time, Catholics and Protestants where alternately burned at the stake here. The last burning occurred in 1652.
• Before the present day, ten-acre market could be build, 774 7s 11d had to be expended to have the charred and dismembered bodies removed from beneath its cobbles.

Other Early Hours Market Pubs Those who cannot join the London Hash on 18 June may wish to experience market pubs another time. These pubs are only open Monday through Friday. Advance bookings are strongly recommended. Fox & Anchor 115 Charterhouse Street, EC1 (020-7253 5075) Mon-Fri (breakfast and lunch only) Hope & Sir Loin 94 Cowcross Street, EC1 (020-7253 8525)

Hops serves as the general editor of the Half-Mind Catalog.