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What Is It? |
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The object of the hash is to try & catch the hare. This
isn't as straightforward as it might seem. The hare can set false trails,
which lead nowhere and then the 'pack' have to try find where
the
trail carries on. This is usually within 100m of the last clump of paper,
known as a 'check', so everyone must scout around & see if they can pick
up the trail again. These days, the trail is usually set a day or so before
the 'Hash'. When someone is on paper - i.e. on the trail, they shout 'On on'
to indicate to the others where they are going. If the paper runs out and
the trail is lost, then people shout 'checking' as they try find it again.
Once the trail is picked up again, then the shout of 'On on' beckons
the pack again. The trail itself is about 6k long, but it's difficult to
tell when you're running in jungle & going up & down hills, so you don't
realise just how much energy you're putting in as it's so much fun! |
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Why The Name? |
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Some time back in 1938, an Expat in Malaysia decided that
he was missing the thrill of the hunt. So, he used an old public school
game, known as hare & hounds to try recreate the atmosphere. For those who
aren't familiar with the game, it consists of a pack - the people chasing
the hare and the hare. The hare is someone who takes off and sets a trail
using either flour, or more commonly paper chopped into small squares.
Originally, the Hash took place in the Royal Selangor
Sports Club in Kuala Lumpur. The food at the time apparently wasn't to great
and was described as a bit of a 'hash' - or a mix of everything, but nothing
recognisable. This became the 'Hash House' and so the runners without a
name, became the "Hash House Harriers" and so the first club was born. The
Expats who ran then often had to contend with much wilder wildlife than
these days - Tigers for example and one time they even caught a Japanese
soldier. This didn't stop the Hash for the day though and the poor soldier
had to run with the pack until the Hash was finished and they could hand him
over the appropriate authorities!
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Hashers Being 'Iced'! |
Today, there are some 3-4 thousand clubs worldwide, who
operate more or less or the same principal. Every two years these clubs get
together for what's called an "Interhash". This is
usually a phenomenally
huge event. I went on the Jubilee Interhash back where it all started in
Kuala Lumpur, back in 1998. Some 6,000 people attended that. Can you imagine
what it's like to cater for that number of people, let alone organise some
20 different runs each day for three days - and make sure all those people
are accounted for. Not only that, but when they come back, there 6,000
hungry mouths to be fed - and of course watered. One thing Hashers do like
is beer! So 6,000 people who on average have say 7 cans each night. 42,000
cans to organise and chill down for when they arrive back! I do have to day,
that the people there did a marvellous job of ensuring the success of it.
Well, not to worry. Given that the Hash House
Harriers is described as "A drinking club with a running problem", you
needn't be worried. There's something for
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We take anyone! |
everyone at the Hash and it's perfectly acceptable to stand around the beer truck or simply to walk the
hash or even part of it.
When on the run though, the faster people, known
affectionately as FRB's - Front Running B******s, generally find the dead
trail first & by the time they have found where it leads to - or word has
got back so that people check elsewhere and by then mostly everyone has
caught up. Once bunched up again, the chase is on again. By the end of it,
it's such a mix of people that you don't know who's fastest or slowest. This
is the great thing about the Hash- It's a social leveller where folk can
meet and have fun and not a race. There are those who claim to have "Won the
Hash". These people are quickly dealt with in the circle afterwards.....
After everyone's back from the run, they change, cool off,
drink copious amounts of water, Gatorade etc. to re-hydrate and then start
on the beer. Ice cold in an ice filled tub. Why is it that in 33c and 95%
humidity, we can still manage much colder beers than anywhere in the UK ?!
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The Circle |
Then it's the turn of the Grandmaster- the 'GM'. It's his
or her job to co-ordinate what constitutes a mini show, where people are
brought in for various misdemeanours or awards and invited to drink a 'down
down', which is a tumbler of beer. The more serious criminals may be put 'on
the ice'. This is a huge block of ice, brought along to the hash. Believe
me, when you sit on this, you do know about it. Having been there, if I
could give any top tip, it's don't move! before long and with any luck a
puddle of water from the ice will have formed round your by now well chilled
botty. This water wind of acts like an insulation between your cheeky cheeks
and the ice!
The GM can also bring in 'Guest Stewards', who also bring
in folk and tell various tales, jokes etc. usually based around the Hashers.
There is an element of what's known as 'housekeeping', where new Hashers, or
Virgins, as they are called, come into the circle to drink. Along with them
follow Visitors (people who've Hashed before but aren't members anywhere),
Visiting Hashers (Hashers from other Hash Clubs)
Everyone! That's the great thing about it. There's no
prejudice. Here in Thailand with have about a third of Hashers who are local
Thai's on the Island - and it's growing. I sometimes feel guilty for not
attempting my Steward spots in Thai! Having said that, some clubs do
have male only runs as well as family runs and the like. Where I Hash in
Phuket we have several different runs to cater for different expectations.
We have:-
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Families come too! |
The normal Saturday Hash, where everyone is invited.
The "Poo Ying" Hash, which is more family orientated and is a
little easier on the run, so that children can join in easily.
The Tinman Hash for men only, meets on the "First April of
every month" (a mistake that has stuck! - it was meant to be the first Wed
in every month). This Hash derives it's name from when Phuket used to be a
hive of activity with open top tin mines 150 years ago. The mines have long
gone, but the route often takes us over the arduous ground where they used to
be. This is a two leg run from A to B to C, with a water break in-between. This is like two hashes back to back. It tends to be for the male
Hasher who wants a harder run. The 'On on' afterwards tend to be a little
more raucous too!
Finally, there's the "Maraud". This is a male only run which is the
toughest of the runs. It's usually a 3 leg run A to B to C to D, again with
water breaks. Sometimes they take place of the Island, which is a pleasant
change. At the end of it you receive a T shirt, with "Earned By..." followed
by your own name. I have been on these Hashes and believe me, you do earn
that shirt! Following this run, is a circle and then onto somewhere for a
second circle & something to eat, followed by copious and I do mean loads
and loads and beers after. Just staying up after the run for these nights
deserves a T shirt. On one I went one, we were out for 2 and a half hours -
and we were at the front!
I've no idea where the tradition of funny names came from,
maybe it was again a Public school thing, where nicknames were often used.
Either way, most of the regular Hashers have a nickname. The sources of
these are wide various and often hilarious. Here a few of the people I run
with and a brief explanation of their names (by the way, if you're wondering
mine's, "Sickf*****r and I'm not telling you why!).
| S***tstop |
Had to go to the 'bathroom' whilst on the hash one day |
| Ketchup |
He goes with anything! |
| Figjam |
F**k I'm Good, Just Ask
Me |
| Thrush discharge |
'cos he's an irritating little c**t |
| Bottom Sniffer |
For being a sheep loving kiwi |
| Fudge Pusher |
as above! |
| Dead 'Skelton' |
'cos he looks like one! |
| S***t for Brains |
Made a stupid comment once (just once?...) |
| T*ts for Brains |
His wife! |
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