When did hashing start?

Hashing was started in the 1938 by a group of British officers based in Kuala Lumpur. These officers decided to go for a run on Monday evenings to work off the weekend excesses – this in turn led to more thirst which was satisfied by more cold beer. (Even the British like their beer cold when away from home!!). 

Why was the club named Hash House Harriers?

The British officers used to meet at the Royal Selangor club in KL – after the run, they grabbed a bite at the club’s dining hall called the “Hash House”. 

How did the hash spread to other countries?

Diplomats and British officers spread the hash to other countries – the Hash now has chapters in over 150 countries, 1500 cities with many cities having multiple groups. We estimate that over 200,000 people participate regularly in Hash runs in different parts of the world. Most clubs run at least once a month, though some meet every week. Many of the Hashers in Bangalore have been active members of the Hash in South East Asia, Europe, South America, Australia  and Africa.

In India, the Hash has chapters in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Goa also has a small chapter, and will be hosting the Nash(National) Hash in September this year followed by the InterHash (world Hash) in September 2002. For the Interhash, we expect over 5000 participants from all continents in the world will descend on Goa. ( For more details visit www.goa2002.com)

The Hash in Bangalore was started in 1990 by John Hamilton and Rod Jamieson, who were then employed by Cargill Seeds. The Bangalore Hash House Harriers ( BH3) has now become the most active chapter in India – we run on alternate Sundays, and on average about 60-70 Hashers turn up for each run.

How are the runs set?

Hash runs are based on the old game of Hares and Hounds – the ‘Hares’ set a trail marked with paper or chalk, and the Hounds try to follow the trail to reach the end point where they can quench their thirst. Run lengths vary from 6-15 kms, though there are shorter routes for the very young and the very lazy!! Wily hares are known to set false trails to throw the Hounds off track, and thus the fastest runners ( called FRBs or Front Running Ba______s) often end up at the back of the group. Hash runs are strictly non-competitive, though several prominent sports personalities are regular runners. In fact in the Bangalore Hash, we have a large number of walkers and the age profile of our members is from 3-70!! Runs of the Bangalore hash are in the countryside – about 15-20 kms from the heart of town. We try to avoid crowded and polluted areas, and prefer running in open countryside – we are spoilt for choice here.

Since you run in the country, is there not a chance of people getting lost?

The hares who set the run know the terrain – one of the hares is designated as a ‘Sweep’ and is responsible for ensuring that all the participants return home safely. We are very particular about this as we have a lot of children ( called ‘Horrors’) who come for our runs.

Who runs the hash in each city?

Each Hash chapter has an organising committee, appropriately called the Mismanagement. The head of the Mismanagement is the GrandMaster, and he is supported by a team with each member assigned specific duties- some examples of the mismanagement’s roles –

• ‘Hare raiser’ is responsible for ensuring that he gets hashers to volunteer and become ‘Hares’ ie find a location and set a trail for the run.
• ‘Hash Mail’ is responsible for sending the newsletter and run directions to all Hashers. 

What happens at the end of each run?

The GrandMaster gets all Hashers together in a circle, wherein some of the hashers are ‘honoured’ by being made to sit on a block of ice and “down-down” a mug of beer. Those who cannot complete the down-down by drinking the beer have to wear it!! We have interesting down-downs for those who wear new shoes, but I’m not saying any more….

Is it true that you have wacky names for all hashers?

Most regular hashers have hash names – in fact we often struggle to remember their real names, and it gets quite funny when we meet outside the Hash runs!! 

Give some examples of the names

One of my favourites is this person who worked as a librarian at a leading school – we called her Overnight Loan!! And our current Grandmaster Nelson is appropriately called Admiral, and his wife is First Mate!!

Would you compare the hash with a sports club?

Well, we do enjoy running and meeting people – but the Hash is strictly non-competitive, and you have to forget who you are!! However, Hashing is addictive and we know many senior executives who ensure they are in town for each hash event.

Do your members meet other than at Hash runs?

Oh yes, there is a lot of bonding amongst Hashers. We meet regularly at movies, pubs and parties. However, as is the case with our runs, your attendance is not mandatory.

In fact, our bonding is so strong that we even have a UK chapter of the Bangalore Hash (called BURP) – this group comprises ex-Bangalore hashers. The first BURP run was held last July and over 35 Hashers participated. The next BURP run is in August and we expect over 50 Hashers to take part.

Can anybody join the Hash?

We do not restrict any person from joining the Hash, but we do prefer families.