HASH HOUSE HARRIERS a Drinking group with Running problem.
How it is done
Hashing hasn't strayed far from its Kuala Lumpur roots. A typical hash kennel (local chapter or group) today is a loosely-organized group of 20-100 men and women who meet weekly to chase the Hare. The Hare sets the trail with shredded paper or flour showing the way. Rain is a problem that has yet to be solved. (The Religious Advisor is generally chastised with a down-down when he fails to produce good weather on run days.)
Circles on the trail (CHECK-point) are usually used to indicate that the runners must search to find the correct path. This is called a 'check' and it is one of the means at the disposal of the hares to promote teamwork and to keep the group together. At a check, hashers will shout, "Are you?" to those ahead when they come upon such a mark. The standard reply is, "Checking!" which means, "I don't really know if this is the right way, but I'm hoping it is." Three marks indicates a correct choice so when we see the first mark after a check, we shout "On-One", at the second mark we shout, "On-Two" and at the blessed third mark, we shout a joyous, "On-On-On-On-On." (Those who encounter an X, signifying a 'False-Trail', say something unprintable in this space, generally followed by the cry, "Ice the hares!")
The idea is to keep the pack somewhat together and this is achieved by setting false trails, cunning checks, and sneaky loops. The fitter FRBs (front-runing bast*rds) will often run twice as far as the more slothful members, yet still finish the run at the same time as the rest of the pack. The length and difficulty of the run depends on the hare and the terrain but will typically be about an hour of running/walking with checks, false trails, and shortcutting.
There are differences in the styles of hashing. Some hashes set only 'live-hare' runs in which the hare is given a 15 minute head start and sets the trail as the pack follows trying to literally catch him. Elsewhere, two trails are preset, a shorter one for the 'walkers' and a longer one for the runners. On Monday hash, only one trail is set but every check is a 'holding check' and the pack must wait there for every runner before 'checking it out.'
Hashes will take any opportunity to plan a special hash - full moon hash, Sunday Family hash, Outstation hash, Christmas crawl …. Interhashes, or gatherings of several hashes for a special event, occur at frequent intervals worldwide. There are national and regional interhashes, as well as a world event simply labeled Interhash.
The Circle
At trail's end hashers gather to drink beer and observe religious ceremonies . . . which consist of drinking more beer, this time ritualistically. Circles is led by the hash Grandmaster, the Religious Adviser, or any unwanted hasher . Traditions (and the degree of rowdiness) vary from hash to hash, but in general the Circle consists of awarding "Down-Downs" for misdemeanors real, imagined, or blatantly made up, and the recipients will most likely have been dubbed in by their fellow hashers. Visitors are always given a Visitors Down-Down as are Virgins (first-time hash runners) and anyone else who comes to the attention of the Circle. The Circle can last a couple of hours depending on the level of religious fervor of the hash.
Regardless of the style of the hash, all is in good fun and this "drinking club with a running problem" welcomes all with a sense of humor. Hashing has created a fraternity that knows no geographical bounds of hospitality. The only prerequisite to hashing is a sense of humor, as running and athletic ability usually take a back seat to the social aspects of the sport. Hashing also knows no age boundaries, with family hashes and horrors or children's hashes, as well as members from all ages in the regular hashes. Hash groups vary in their emphasis on the sporting versus social aspects of hashing. The Down-Down celebrates new runners, various landmarks in the careers of hashers, and assorted other reasons to drink beer or their favourite beverage. Most hashes also add bawdy song to the festivities and there are special event runs that may end in a feast and a party as well.
The important thing is that we are all Hashers sharing an experience like no other, and in the sharing, we are all enriched with... The Hashing Spirit
Traditions and Naming Convention
There are said to be no rules in hashing, however several traditions have developed with a violation of such severely frowned upon and likely to invoke a punishment by way of a 'down-down'. A 'down-down' is one of the oldest traditions and is a means of punishing or rewarding pretty much anything. Upon being called to do a 'down-down' the accused must come to the middle of the circle and drink everything that they have in their vessel (generally a cup, mug, or other drinking device). They must do this without pause until either they have either consumed the whole quantity of drink (typically beer, but can be of any drink they may have with them) or they must pour the remaining contents over their head. Typically there are no new shoes allowed on the hash trail whereas being caught in a pair of new shoes may require that one drinks from the offending shoe as penance. Other traditions include – playing with oneself `wanking’ (by putting your hands in your pockets), or the use of real names (aka nerd names) etc.
Hash names are awarded after a specified number of hashes attended (e.g. 5) OR after they do something the pack deems noteworthy. At one's first hash, they will generally be known as 'Virgin [name]'. Before a naming, the group may collect information concerning the individual or ask them a series of questions that can range from occupation, most embarrassing moment, personal preferences, stories, or experiences. The person in question may then be sent away for a short time as their new name is decided by group consensus. Many suggestions may be made with the final name being chosen by vote of the group attending with more often than not some humorous or debaucherous concoction being used.
The Hash is frequently described as "a drinking club with a running problem," often when recruiting participants for hastily arranged group runs that tour local pubs and drinking venues.
The symbol of a hash is the outline of the foot, with often the words 'On-On' written upon it.
An Arsenal Of Weapons
The Check.
The main purpose of a check is to slow down the front runners (FRBs) and allow the slower Hashers a chance to catch up. Checks, as indicated by a circle of flour with a dot inside, are usually placed at a point along the route where there are intersecting trails or roads.
At this point your trail of dots will cease to exist and it's the job of the Hashers to spread out and find the new route, otherwise known as checking.You may find no dots, one or two dots, or an X. However, only one direction can have 3 or more dots of flour and, of course, this is now ON.
The Back Check.
One of the more frustrating variations on a check is the back check. This is where you have a check but the proper route is behind you rather than in front. At the check, if the FRBs run off checking on various trails but can't find any routes that have 3 dots, chances are you've run into the dreaded back check. Turn around and go back along the trail that led you to the check, count back one or two dots of flour (two seems to be preferable, but one is legal), and then take off on a side track, trail, road, gap, whatever, and begin to look for dots. If you've gone back 2 dots then you only need to find one to be ON, two if you've gone back only one dot.
The False Trail.
False trails are marked with an X. It's really only acceptable for the Hare to use an X after a check. So if you find one just along a trail, you may have missed seeing a check. Hashers are not allowed to cross over an X. You must turn around and go back the way you came.
Calling (or Is Anybody Home?)
The Hash relies on calling. We have the Hash Horn, whose job is to stay in the middle of the pack and act as a beacon, but the whole thing falls apart if we don't call. Everyone should participate in calling, from the front runner to the last of the bunch.
The Calls Of The Wild
"ARE YOU?" - This is the only call that is a question. And, because we're a somewhat simple-minded group, it's the only question that we ever ask. All other calls are a response to the question, "ARE YOU?"
"ON-ON!" - Music to a Hasher's ear. This is the correct response if you are on the right trail. In addition, when already on the right trail, Hashers should call "On-On!" each and every time they come across an additional dot of flour. It's important that all hashers call the ON - it's our primitive communication system that alerts everyone down the line the proper way to go.
"CHECKING!" - When you approach a check, or if you are checking and have not found any dots, you should call this loud and clear.
"CHECKING ONE!" - Call this when you are checking and you find one dot or if you're checking and someone else calls to you "ARE YOU?" and you've found one dot.
"CHECKING TWO!" - Call this when you are checking and you've found two dots or if you're checking and someone else calls to you "ARE YOU?" and you've found two dots.
"LOOKING!" - If you're looking for flour, but are not at a check, then the proper response if "LOOKING!"
"ON-IN!" - Call this when you see the ON-IN written on the ground.
"YES, R.A!" - This is the proper response to anything our beloved R.A. might ask of you. Penalties for creative answers might range from an ice cold shirt to a free drink. Good luck.
