Hashing 101

The Hash House Harriers is an international network of non-competitive, social running and walking clubs. Affectionately dubbed "a drinking club with a running problem," the groups blend outdoor fitness, orienteering, and social drinking (drinking is optional). The club was founded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1938 by a group of British expatriates. They originally met at the Selangor Club, which was humorously nicknamed the "Hash House" due to its monotonous, repetitive food. They formed the running group to get some exercise, shake off weekend hangovers, and enjoy cold beer. A typical event, known as a "Hash", usually follows these steps: 1. One or two members (the "hares") get a head start to lay a trail through a city, forest, or countryside using sidewalk chalk or kitchen flour. The trail includes intentional dead ends, false trails, and loops to keep participants guessing. 2. The rest of the participants (the "hounds") follow the clues as a group. Because of the false trails, both fast runners and casual walkers often finish at the same time. 3. The run concludes with a social gathering called "the circle". Participants sing drinking songs, mock people who made mistakes on the trail, and hand out lighthearted punishments or awards. Inclusivity: All fitness levels, from elite runners to casual walkers, are welcome. And we are an extremely LGBTQ affirming group. Traditions: Members refer to themselves as "hashers" and use unique nicknames, often given to them by the group based on something embarrassing they did. Global Network: There are nearly 2,000 chapters worldwide. Many local chapters meet weekly, and visitors from other branches are almost always welcome to drop in. 
 More images coming soon!