Circle up, virgins, because today Clarity83 and I are going to tell you about this thing called the Hash House Harriers!
If you hear someone talking about going to “the hash,” “hashing,” or being a “hasher,” that person is probably not talking about drugs. It is likely that the person is part of a club that lovingly calls itself “a drinking club with a running problem,” known as The Hash House Harriers a.k.a. the hash.
The hash is a group of people that meet for drinking with some running thrown in for good measure. The hash is world wide, so chances are that there is at least one in your city. Different hash groups have different schedules, but most meet at least once a week. The running and the drinking might not sound like it makes any sense, but you get used to it. (Clarity won’t drink beer before she runs because it makes her all burpy, but AntiNickname is getting the hang of it.)
The Basics
Those wishing to hash show up at the designated start point. This can be a bar, a parking lot, someone’s house; it really just depends on the hare and what the traditions of that particular hash are. Once the hare has called for people to “circle up” or gather around so he or she or they can brief the hounds/pack on what to expect on trail. But let me back up a second. The hash has a language of its own and knowing some key words might help you understand what I’m talking about.
Trail: What you follow to get to the beer
Hare(s): those who lay trail
Hounds/Pack: Those who are on trail looking for the beer
RU?: Are you guys going the right way?
On-On!: Yes, follow me.
True Trail: Going the right way
False: A psych out by the hares to lead the pack (the hounds) astray. These come in handy, especially if the hare is laying a live trail
Check: a spot in the trail where trail can go in any direction; you need a certain number of marks to be on on
Shiggy: Any sort of off-road insanity, like woods and creeks, we might run through.
Split or three way: a spot in the trail where it can go one of two (or three) ways; like a check you need a certain number of marks to be on on, but it’s typically fewer marks than you need after a check
BC/SC: Beer check or shot check! It means “STOP AND DRINK.”
BN: Beer Near! This indicates the end of the trail is near, and a large supply of beer is upon us.
Violation/Accusation: Any sort of ‘bad’ behaviour that could cause you to be playfully mocked by the group.
Down-Down: Chug that beer!
Essentially, once the hounds/pack are on trail they are looking for beer. Depending on where you hash, the trail will lead you to at least one beer check/stop and/or shot check/stop. At beer checks, everyone gathers to hang out a little, socialize, and yes, drink a little beer (or, at a shot check, take a swig of whatever concoction the hares whipped up and then move along). I do say “a little beer” because you’re not really supposed to drink much at this point–for many hashes, the trail isn’t over, yet. It’s really just foreplay for the rest of the beer-drinking that occurs at the end, but this changes depending on kennel/region.
At the end of the trail, everyone will be able to get some beer, possibly some munchies, and hang around until the order to “Circle up!” This is also the time to snag your stuff and possibly change in the bushes if you don’t want to wait for the bar. Some people bring a change of clothes for after then run as not everyone likes to hang out in their dirty running clothes. Don’t worry, you won’t have to run with your stuff as most kennels have “bag hags” or “shag wagons” to either watch your stuff until the end of trail or transport it if you end at a different place than you start. If you end up at the same place that you started, that’s known as an “A-A” trail. When the end is different than the beginning, it’s an “A-B”. When the running is done, the real drinking begins.
The Drinking
Typically, the Religious Advisor (RA) runs circle, but that can vary from anyone like Grand Master (GM) to Scribe. Circle is best known for violations, where hashers are accused or violated and made to do a down-down. The violations/accusations are typically silly/stupid things that people did (or didn’t do) on the trail, and everyone pokes a little fun at the hashers in the circle. The violations are described to the group, and typically a song is requested to sing to/about those being violated. These songs are dirty, filthy, obnoxious, and hilarious. Different kennels have different songs, though there are some classic songs that carry over between many kennels. Don’t worry about not knowing them all just yet; you pick them up fairly quickly. If you are familiar with rugby songs, hash songs are along the same lines. Once the pack starts to sing “down down down” you drink your beer.
Circle also consists of announcements for upcoming hashes (preferably from next week’s hare), hashing and/or drinking related events.The virgins (new hashers), visitors, and transplants (hashers who just moved here) are also brought into the circle at one point. The circle is, in my opinion, the best part of the hash. This is where the real drinking starts and people start to be themselves. (I’m not sure you’ve seen a more awkward group of people than sober hashers.)
Circle goes on as long as it’s fun and either people are being accused of things or the RA is making things up. If this continues, circle stops when you run out of beer, or money. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention money. Hash cash fuels this little club of drunken debauchery. Some kennels want hash cash up-front, others at the end so they can figure out how the funds will play out at the bar. Most Chicago hashes charge $8, and typically hash cash in Washington, DC is $5 for the beer van or the brew crew (we go to a bar, later, but all the beer we drink during the hash is supplied by the kennel). Like most other things, how much you pay depends on where you are. Some hashes include the cost of food in their hash cash. Eventually, the RA will end the circle and hashers are free to socialize with one another.
The People
Another great part about hashing is that it’s more or less anonymous. Unless a hash count is being kept, last names are typically not solicited, and most hashers at the kennel will probably have a hash name. Hash names are bestowed upon people for any number of reasons, such as doing something particularly stupid/note-worthy or even as a rite of passage for being an established hasher. Those that do not have a hash name go by Just [insert nerd name here] or No Name [insert no name here]. If you hash long enough, people will forget your real name and you will only be known by your hash name. If you’re new, you probably won’t know anyone’s real name for awhile, which can lead to some awkward situations when you run into people outside the hash. You can’t call someone “Bloody Thighs” in public. It’s just not nice.
To sum it up, hashing is a group for the every-person (as long as you’re not easily offended). The beauty of hashing is that it’s exactly what it says it is: a drinking club with a running problem. The focus isn’t on the running, though having an interesting trail is always appreciated. If you’re into being the best and the fastest, you’ll probably get called out for “racist” behaviour. It doesn’t matter if you are not a runner (AntiNickname really isn’t one, either). Hell, most hashes have walking trails, or at least allow for walkers to leave early so everyone ends at the same time. Even if you are running, people stop and walk all the time. It’s not about being a marathon runner, but it’s about getting a little exercise along the way to a great time with awesome people.
There are lots of other things that I’m leaving out, but if you’re looking to start hashing, a couple of the best resources I can offer are half-mind.com and gotothehash.net. If nothing else, these websites can direct you to your local hash . From there you can contact the GM or other appointed contact to get information on what do to start hashing, but I recommend you just show up! A GM or hare will ask if there are virgins, visitors, new hashers to the kennel around, and give you a “chalk talk” to introduce you to the nuances of the marks. As informative as I think this piece is, there are lots of nuances and subtleties of hashing that you won’t understand until you get out there and do it. They love new people at the hash, and you’ll be making new friends in no time!
So what R U waiting for, wankers? On-On!
P.S. DO NOT wear new running shoes to the hash. Trust us on this one.
Many thanks to Clarity83, who brought up writing a hashing article in OT one day and was game to work with me on the article I had started drafting about a month earlier but abandoned due to finals. This article is really a blend of the two of us, so the “I” refers to either one of us, depending on the part. It was truly a collaborative effort and I wish her name could be attached like mine is, too. Thanks for letting me toss this into my draft, Clarity! If I ever get out to Chicago again, I can be your transplant (and the offer is always open to you if you visit DC)! *HEART*
