Hash House Harriers

The Hash House Harriers is an international group of non-competitive running, social and drinking clubs (ok kids...for adults only and in moderation of course). It is best summed up as: "Drinkers with a running problem."

An event organized by a club is known as a Hash or Hash Run, with participants calling themselves Hashers. Hashing originated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December 1938, when a group of British colonial officers and expatriates began meeting on Monday evenings to run, in a fashion patterned after the traditional British Paper Chase or "Hare and Hounds," to rid themselves of the excesses of the previous weekend. The name "Hash House" comes from the chow hall where they used to meet. (Not the illegal drugs kids!)

The Hash House Harriers (H3) is a decentralized organization with each chapter (sometimes called a Kennel) individually managed with no uniting organizational hierarchy. Right now, there are almost 2000 kennels in all parts of the world, including two organized kennels operating in Antarctica.

Basically, the way it works is that someone goes out and sets a running trail with globs of flour or small piles of paper spread out to let you know you are going the right way. False trails are set as well to throw people off. When you find a check point, the person yells, "On on!" to let the others know which direction to go. It's sort of a race, but I'm not sure if any of us are actually trying to win. I'm too busy taking pictures most of the time, so I'm just usually hoping I don't get lost!
After the run, there is a ceremonial "Hash Circle" where all sorts of shenanigans and general debauchery take place. If you break a "rule" you have to do a "down down" with warm beer while surrounded by the group singing a traditional song. It's like an afternoon hanging out with Monty Python!
The H3 Club was recently resurrected here in Alexandria and is known as the "Delta H3." This was my first Hash run ever. I first heard about it back in 1997 when I lived in Grenada, but I had a jerk for a boyfriend back then and didn't get to participate. On our run today, we had people representing New Zealand, Wales, America, England and Germany. We ran around the countryside, dodging cows, bulls, barking dogs, and children yelling, "Hello! How are you?" at us. Afterwards, we went back to our "headquarters" and consumed more imbibements and food. Good times! Can't wait for next week's Hash!

Hoping Mr. Donkey doesn't kick me in the butt after getting rained on!