SV Erica's travels: Hash House Harriers

Each week on Wednesday evenings I have been enjoying the walk/run with the local Hash House Harriers club.

The Hash house harriers is an international group of non-competitive running, social and drinking clubs. An event organized by a club is known as a Hash or Hash Run, with participants calling themselves Hashers.

Hashing originated in December 1938 in Kuala Lumpar when a group of British colonial officers and expatriates began meeting to run, in a fashion patterned after the traditional British Paperchase or "Hare and Hounds .

Apart from the excitement of chasing the hare and finding the trail, harriers reaching the end of the trail would be rewarded with beer, ginger beer and cigarettes.

Hashing died out during World War 2 after the Invasion of Malaya, but was re-started after the war by most of the original group
At a Hash, one or more members (Hares) lay a trail, which is then followed by the remainder of the group (the Pack or Hounds). The trail often includes false trails, short cuts, dead ends, and splits. These features are designed to keep the pack together regardless of fitness level or running speed, as front-runners are forced to slow down to find the "true" trail, allowing stragglers to catch up.

Members often describe their group as " A drinking club with a running problem " indicating that the social element of an event is as important, if not more so, than any athleticism involved. Beer remains an integral part of a Hash, though the balance between running and drinking differs between chapters, with some groups placing more focus on socializing and others on running.

Generally, Hash events are open to the public and require no reservation or membership, but some may require a small fee, referred to as hashcash, to cover the costs incurred, such as food or drink.The end of a trail is an opportunity to socialize, have a drink and observe any traditions of the individual chapter .

A down-down is a means of punishing, rewarding, or merely recognizing an individual for any action or behavior according to the customs or whims of the group. Generally, the individual in question is asked to consume without pause the contents of his or her drinking vessel or risk pouring the remaining contents on his or her head. Individuals may be recognized for outstanding service, or for their status as a visitor or newcomer.

Down-Downs also serve as punishment for misdemeanors real, imagined, or blatantly made up. Hashers who wear new shoes to an event can be required to drink from their shoe.
The use of real names during an event is discouraged. Members are typically given a "hash name," usually in deference to a particularly notorious escapade, a personality trait, or their physical appearance. In some chapters the name must be earned - that is, hashers are not named until they've done something outstanding, unusual, or stupid enough to warrant a name.

Being from NewZealand and sailing the oceans I was named.... "Sheepwreck", then had to have the obligatory drink while the standard song was sung

She's a pisspot so they say, is a piker through and through, tried to go to heaven but was turned the other way...Down Down down