First let us explain our name. A harrier is a runner, and in 1938 in Kuala Lumpur the Hash House was the local name for an annex of the Selangor Club. This annex was where our founder members, a group of British colonial officials and expatriates, were billeted. The Hash House got its name because of its monotonous food (e.g. corned beef hash), and not in any way due to a product that was popularised during the 70s.
These British ex pats decided to resurrect on Monday evenings the old public school ‘hare and hounds’ paper chase. This was to burn off the excesses of the previous weekend, and naturally became an opportunity to socialise afterwards. The idea slowly spread until now there are thousands of Hash House Harrier (a.k.a. hash / HHH / H³) clubs in all parts of the world, including a couple in Antarctica. There are several main hash clubs running weekly in the London and Greater London area. See our Other London Clubs page for details of these and the many less frequent ones.
That was just a very brief introduction to us. For a broader and more detailed overview you could do worse than to consult our entry in Wikipedia after reading the rest of this page.
Here’s the plan:
Meet at a suitable London drinking establishment (real ale on tap obviously).
Run at a relaxed pace for about an hour following marks in chalk and flour (known as hashing).
Return to the drinking establishment to relax and socialise.
Simple really. You don't need to be a great athlete. You just need a sense of humour and an old pair of trainers. Walking, short cutting, and staying back at the pub are perfectly acceptable. Try it. Once you get in the spirit of the pack, motivation is easy, and at £1 a run we are more than a little bit cheaper than your local gym.
There are many other reasons to run with us. For the enriched social life. For the thrill of sniffing out the trail. For the exploration and discovery. You will not believe what new and exciting parts of London you will discover that you never dreamed existed. But first, lets discover what makes a hash.
The ‘P’ trail
We meet at a pre-designated public house at a pre-arranged time (see our run list for details of when and where). The pub will be walking distance from a main line or underground station.
A ‘P’ trail will be marked from the station. Quite simply this is a trail of the letter ‘P’ (for pub) marked in chalk or flour.
The Pub
The pub will be expecting us, and will have set aside a secure area for us to leave bags while we are out running. We tend to stand out a mile from the locals due to our sporty running
gear and specially printed hash t-shirts. If you are new then just approach one of us and say 'hello'.
On out
The ‘on-out’ is called and all hashers assemble in an area outside the pub. Visitors and ‘virgins’ are welcomed, and the ‘hare’ will give a brief talk about the trail that he has set.
On on
The run begins. The pack heads off at a casual run following chalk or flour markings. Its totally noncompetitive, and no one treats it like a race.
Shouts are passed among the pack as we go. The most common is ‘on on’. Meaning simply that the hasher is on trail and wishes to let hashers further back know where it
goes - like a pack of barking hounds. More about hash calls below.
There are trail features (also explained below) which are designed to slow down the front runners, allow the slower runners to keep up, and essentially keep the pack together.
Shortcuts are totally acceptable. Stick with the hare to find out where they are.
On Inn
‘On Inn ‘ is something that you may at some point see chalked on the ground. This means that the pub is near. Head to the bar and get yourself a drink.
We find that most virgins are totally familiar with this process. Some pubs may lay out jugs of water in anticipation of our return.
The Circle
After all harriers and harriets have returned someone will shout ‘circle up’. This is the ceremonial part of the proceedings. Nothing formal, just pure fun.
The hare is congratulated (or maybe not) on his trail and given a complementary down-down. A down-down is simply the act of downing a pint whilst being encouraged by the rest
of the pack. Visitors and virgins are then welcomed - again, followed by down-downs for actions or misdemeanours during, or even before the hash. Examples of such misdemeanours
include falling arse-over-tit, answering a mobile mid run, or attempting to leapfrog a sundial whilst not realising that there is a large spike in the middle of it - yes it has been done!
A bunch of mates
General socialising continues, like you are with a bunch of mates down the pub - which is exactly what we are. Sometimes food may be
laid on - hash grub, then hashers filter away with parting greetings such as ‘good to see you’, ‘hope to see you next time’. We sincerely hope that you did
enjoy your first hash and that we do see you again, but for now, on on!
 |
| Many people wish that they had found our running club sooner |
As previously mentioned there are a raft of trail features designed to keep the pack together in a fun and interesting way.
Arrows and Blobs
The trail is either marked as a series of single headed arrows or blobs of flour. This is a normal trail, and while not normally thought of as a deliberate method of
slowing the front runners down they do have this effect. The front runners have to cast around to check that they are still on trail while those behind can follow
faster by sight or shouts of ‘on on’.
Check Points
A check point is a circle, and after the check point the trail disappears. It is normally set at a junction between several paths so that the front runners are forced to
span out in all directions to check. While the front runners are busy looking for the resumption in the trail, those further back have a chance to catch up and rest.
False Trails
False trails deliberately go in the wrong direction and are terminated in an ‘FT’ or a ‘X’. The front runners are then forced to backtrack down the trail and find where the
real trail has gone. This gives those further back chance to catch up and be directed down the correct trail.
Short Cuts
The trail may split. This allows the faster runners to choose the more demanding trail and gives the slower runners the opportunity to catch up on the short cut. They may be marked
in several ways. In the London Hash House Harriers we tend to use the initials FRB (Front Runners) and SCB (Short Cutters). You may also stick with the hare at the back and ask if
there are any unmarked shortcuts, of which there will most probably be several.
Re-Groups
Re-groups are marked with the initials ‘RG’ in a circle. They are effectively a command ‘stop here and wait for everyone to catch up’. These are an ideal
opportunity for group photos, and to allow a closer look at features of interest.
Drink Stops
Drink stops are marked with the initials ‘DS’ in a circle. They are extremely popular as the hare has provided drinks for everyone. The drinks are invariably alcoholic in content, but there will be soft
drinks on offer as well. Hares will hopefully site a drink stop not too far (staggering distance) from the end of the trail.
On Inn
‘On Inn’ when marked on the ground with an accompanying arrow indicates that the pub is near. Normally the location or direction of the pub is now obvious. Arrows or blobs may cease after this point.
This feature does nothing to slow down the pack, but may have the reverse effect as thirsty hashers forge ahead. This is good as it helps to stagger the arrival of hashers at the bar (no pun intended).
Trail markings may differ between clubs. The above are what we in London Hash House Harriers usually use. If the hare has done anything different or imaginative then we hope that he will mention this at the ‘on out’.
On On!
This is the first and most frequent call that you will hear. It may be shouted triumphantly as the hasher has found the trail and wishes to direct the rest of the pack in
the right direction. 'On on' may be modified into 'on left', 'on right', 'on up' etc. denoting sudden changes in direction.
On Check!
You have just arrived at a check point. The trail may continue from a turning slightly back from the check (a back check) so shouting this gives those behind you chance to
probe these turnings without reaching the check first.
How you? / Are you?
Shouted when you wish to know if the hasher you have spotted in the distance is in fact on trail, or is just checking.
Checking! / Looking!
You wish to let the rest of the pack know that you are not on trail but are in fact just looking for it.
Lost!
Can’t find the trail and quite possibly ready to give up and head straight back to the pub.
False trail!
You have reached an FT or X marking and wish to inform those behind you not to bother running any further in your direction. Some consider it sporting to not shout this and
let a few other hashers get to the head of the false trail as well.
Petrol!
Beware of that motor vehicle behind you!
|
| London Hash House Harriers are powered by great beers |
Hash philosophy, tradition and rituals have developed over the decades and throughout the world. Just join us on a run and find out all you need to know over a beer. But first ...
Hash Names
On turning up at your first hash you will be introduced to people with strange and bizarre names such as ‘Martian Matron’, ‘Boy Blunder’ and ‘Bulldozer’. These are hash names.
You can’t choose your own hash name. Names are earned after a number of runs with the hash and once we have got to know you a little bit. Behind every name there is a reason or
story; such as the young lady who on hearing someone exclaim ‘there is a couple of guys peeing in a doorway over there’ decided to run back to have a look. The pack unanimously
agreed that her hash name should be ‘Golden Retriever’.
New Shoes
New trainers are frowned upon on the hash. Turning up in a shiny new pair thinking that you look really cool is totally the wrong thing to do. Beware - there are forfeits involved!
Subscriptions
Being a club we have some small costs that need to be covered. Mostly alcoholic but also for example the hosting cost of this web site. As a virgin you are free of all charges.
After that its just £1 per run or alternatively £20 per year or £10 per half year. Other London hash clubs charge similar amounts.
We certainly feel that London is especially ideal hashing territory. Within 609 square miles we have a myriad of topographical diversity. From twisting ancient alleyways steeped in history to leafy royal parks roamed by herds of red and fallow deer.
Amongst these urban and rural delights are sprinkled an ample selection of good quality drinking establishments. Welcoming Tudor timbered public houses glowing in firelight and quintessential Englishness. Real ale and stimulating conversation. We know where to find these perfect places, and we can take you there.
Quite simply all you need to do is turn up at a run and introduce yourself to someone in one of our distinctive hash t-shirts.
Our run list details the start time and location of each run.
Follow the 'P' trail from the station to the pub and say 'hello'.
Alternatively if you need more information then please
email our On Sec who will be happy to help.
