What the F*ck is Hashing?

Featured, lisette, Partying, Sex & Booze, What the F*CK!? | LaMorena | February 7, 2011 at 4:20 pm

Photo courtesy of Seletar Hash House Harriers

Hard to believe, but hashing has nothing to do with hash or twitter. A self-proclaimed “drinking club with a running problem,” hashing is THE hobby for anyone who has trouble reconciling their love of sports with their love of high blood alcohol contents. Trade in your lighter and munchies for some running shoes and a brewski: It’s time to start hashing.

harehounds1 13 What the F*ck is Hashing? Back in 1938, a bunch of British guys in Kuala Lumpur (modern-day Malaysia) decided they needed a rousing activity to cure their rampant weekend hangovers. The Brits used a game known as “Hare and Hounds,” or “paper chase,” as their model, a sort of Hansel & Gretel inspired tag. One person is chosen to be the hare and the rest are hounds, designated to find the hare based on a trail of paper scraps or chalk markings. With A. S. Gispert as their fearless leader, the Brits called themselves the Hash House Harriers after the living quarters of their social club, whose food was so bad it was nicknamed the “Hash House.” When shit hit the fan during World War II, hashing took a hiatus. In 1962, however, Ian Cumming started a chapter in Singapore and the idea spread like second grade chicken pox. Currently, most major cities in the world have at least one hashing club. You can even hash in Antarctica.

Photo by: James Head

Hash can refer to either the sport as a whole or the individual run. Most hashes are surprisingly organized considering they consist of a bunch of running drunks. Anyone can show up ready to run and booze; bring a whistle and possibly a flashlight. You don’t want to be “that guy” so be sure to also bring a six pack or some cash to contribute to the group’s supplies.

One person (or a small group of people) are selected as hares and given a head start to create a trail using either chalk, flour, or a chalk-flour combo. While the hares are running ahead, the rest of the hash gets as sloppy as possible in a short time. Then, already sporting a solid buzz, they take off in attempt to catch the hares by following the symbols the hares have left behind.

Sound easy? Think again—hashing can be tricky. The trail involves forks, false trails, and the possibility of getting ridiculously lost (this is where the flashlight comes in). People of all ages and running levels can hash in the same group, but if you’re a front-running bastard, you’ll probably end up trekking a lot more since you’re going to be responsible for finding the trail. Hashers take beer breaks along the way to refuel and regroup, allowing for some hare-heckling. At the end of the trail, which can be 3 to 7 miles depending on how good you are, there’s always an “On-In,” a hasher-specific gathering to party and keep the drinks flowing.

Every club has its own traditions, but there are few that all hashers share:

Photo by: James Head

Hashing nicknames: It doesn’t matter what your actual name is, the senior members of your hashing club will give you a new (better) one. Several current nickname gems are “Dildo Shaggins” and “Everything Butt Sex.”
Chalk talk: Before the hares take off, everyone gets a quick rundown of the symbols that are used. The universal favorite is BN = beer near!
Circle: At the end of the trail and before the party officially begins, all hash members circle up to sing hashing songs, insult the hares, initiate the hash virgins,and basically, haze everyone else. Alcohol levels are high and inhibitions are low, so be prepared for some total exposure. According to one New Orleans hasher, “last night at the hash I was standing next to a fourth year med student at the Circle, and this guy takes all his clothes off to do the naked elephant dance.” Naked elephant dance? When did elephants start wearing clothes in the first place?

Even if you’re one step away from finishing AA, you can still play. Hashers are laid-back, fun-loving people and everyone’s counted among the cool kids.

If you’re ready to jump into the fray, you can check out an online hashing directory to find your closest hash. Most hashes have websites and post the dates of their upcoming runs. There is usually no sign-up required; you can just show up at the designated location ready to run and party. As long as you’re holding a 6-pack, everyone will love you. Many do set weekly or monthly runs, but there are tons of hashing events gaining popularity worldwide.

Interhash is an event that gets international hashers together from all over the world. The Red Dress Run of New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the most publicized hashing events, attracting over 7,000 participants in 2010 and flooding the streets with both men and women wearing hot little red dresses. The Santa Speedo Run in Toronto, Canada overflows with nearly naked bodies running in the dead of winter for charity.

The best way to maintain your six pack while still downing them, get fit, get drunk, start hashing.

LaMorena

Traveling is my only healthy addiction. The more time I spend living abroad, the longer the list gets of places I need to visit and adventures I want to undertake.