The Hash House Harriers - The drinking club with a running problem

The Hash House Harriers

So many times we have been asked "So, how did you meet?". Well, here's the answer:
We ran into each other, while Hashing!

The Hash House Harriers (HHH) is a running tradition going back to 1938. It was started in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, by Alberto Stephano Ignatius Gisbert, a British expat, known as "G" to his friends. Hashing is a noble sport and activity in which one or two persons (the hares), lay a trail of shredded paper, flour, sawdust or chalk marks (the scent) behind them, over fields, through woods, etc., rather than on roads. A larger group of participants (the pack of hounds) set out later and track them. Hares set false trails, loops and several checkpoints where the scent abruptly stops. This temporarily confuses the pursuing pack, resulting in cries of "Are-You?" and "Checking". On finding the trail once again, cries of "On-On!" regroup the hounds who then continue the chase. Usually one member sounds a hunting horn or bugle: short toots for checking, a long blast to rally the pack when they find the trail. Runs last roughly one hour, ending with plenty of drinks (mostly beer) and food.

For a complete history of Hashing, find a copy of Hash House Harriers 1938-1992, "G" A 50th Anniversary Tribute, published (rather informally) by Harrier International, Bangkok, Thailand 1992.

Hash House Harrier links
Following are links to HHH chapters that one or both of us have run with.
The Mauritius HHH and the Dayton HHH are the most important, being our respective Mother Hashes.

Mauritius Hash House Harriers. Having being introduced to the world of Hashing by Simon Harris of the Hong-Kong Shanghai Bank in early 1991, Bob ran at almost every run during that year before leaving to live in the United States. The Mauritius Hash is a sub-tropical run on one of the most beautiful islands in the Indian Ocean. Anyone seen a Dodo running by here?

Dayton Hash House Harriers. Dayton, Ohio; the centre of the universe (ask any local) and the home of the Wright Brothers. Bob joined the Dayton Hash soon after arriving from Mauritius. Christina was introduced to Hashing by Max and Amy Wells (Maxwell Smart & Agent 86). We met on one cold November afternoon in 1992. Christina had turned up for her first Hash. Nearly two years later, a couple of weeks before we were married, the Hash celebrated our wedding with the clubs own ceremony in a pine forest near Yellow Springs, Ohio. The church was marked out in flour, everyone wore formal attire (with runners) and later there was a wedding cake at the After Hash (reception).

Lion City Hash House Harriers. Singapore is the home of the second oldest Hash in the world and has retained many traditions including still being a men only Hash. The ladies however have their own Harriets Hash as well. Singapore has at least seven Hash clubs welcoming locals, expats and passing tourists alike. A truly tropical run with a lot of street trails.

Athens Hash House Harriers. If ever you're in Greece, the home of the Marathon, on your honeymoon, or for any other reason, you have to run with the Athens Hash. You'll see parts of a city not normally seen by tourists. Incredible ruins, wonderful small taverns, parks and gardens - and then you get to the After Hash! Take a run through history.

West London Hash House Harriers. The great thing about Hashing in London is that no matter where it is, you can get there by train, and you know you'll be seeing some great pubs.

Australia, Melbourne Full Moon Hash House Harriers

Melbourne Full Moon Hash House Harriers. An offshoot from the Melbourne HHH, the Full Moon Hash (a.k.a. The Melbourne Howlers), runs on the Sunday closest to the full moon at 4pm. There are two criteria: 1. great new bushland, and 2. no runs in the suburban area - bitumen is obscene language. It's a free hash, you're only asked to supply one can of beer. A great family Hash.

For a list of all Hash clubs world-wide click on the Hash foot below.

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