Hashing is an international activity by many groups loosely linked as "A Drinking Club with a Running problem". It is a non-competitive form of running characterised by following some kind of trail with enough false routes to keep people of differing fitness together for the important bits (e.g. drinking).
Started in Kuala Lumpur in 1938 by a group of British Expatriates who, needing to shift a hangover before starting some more drinking, set a run in a fashion which has developed a following all over the world. The trails they set were loosly based on Hare and Hound paperchases (thus Harriers).
Each hash has its own character. Some may be seen as having a serious running problem, others have difficulty getting out of the bar.. getting on to the Down-downs as quickly as possible. But there lies the true link between them. Enjoy yourself and then have a drink.
One or more person will lay a trail with check points, false trails and the correct route.
The idea is to
(a) Keep people of
disparate speeds together so they get to the end of the trail and the
drinks at about the same time whether they be
FRB (front running) who will be getting some of the checking wrong, SCB (short
cutting) who may go completely off trail or anything else.
or (b) Lose
everyone in the most stylish manner possible.
They can be
'Live' with the
hare(s) going out 15 minutes or so before the pack with a sack of flour/powdered
chalk/paper and setting the trail. Often the trail is continuous with breaks at
checks starting again at some distance down the trail.
'Dead' where
the trail is laid out in advance and marked in whatever the local style is;
chalk, toilet paper tied in hedges, etc.. as long as you tell the pack what it
is. The hare then has the option of running with the pack to look after the back
markers..or if supremely confident.. waiting in the pub
til everyone gets back.
Some mark with flour with a circle to show the check point and a F to show a false trail. Some use an X in a circle to show a check-back. Often there is a heap at the check point so that the correct route can be linked in when found so the backmarkers don't lose the trail.
The trail can be through town streets, parks, out in the country and along footpaths and such, through streams, across fields so deep in mud that you sink to you thighs or from one bar to the next. It can be a short amble or a six miler or more.
but not all, indulge in post exercise merriment administered by a member of the hash heirarchy known as the Religious Advisor. This could range from being forced to drink a measure quickly from a new running shoe to chugging a yard of ale for running to quickly or short cutting too effectively or even for turning up on time.
the event is to be generally social.
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