Who and what is the Scarborough Hash?

Back in 1983, a returning hasher from Hong Kong realised that Scarboroughwas missing something. So he started the Scarborough Hash (SH3), and things went rapidly downhill from there. Nowadays, George Whiteman, for it was he, is sunning himself in Cyprus, entertaining a steady stream of SH3 hashers seeking cheap accommodation and cheap Keo, and still wishing he could win the UK lottery next week. but WTF, we're still here, and running on a ridiculously regular basis. twice a week, Sundays and Mondays, we're out and about, and getting pissed whilst we're at it. Because of this lunacy in running twice a week, we have clocked up our runs faster than linford at a dodgy car dealer, and therefore in 2008 we will celebrate our 2000th run - the first hash in the UK to do so (even though many others had quite a head start on us!)

We run twice a week on Monday and Sunday. The run on Sunday is always from the Alma Inn at 1100am. Whereas the Monday run venue varies, starting at 1830. What to bring? Wear old running clothes. Don't wear new shoes! Bring an extra set something dry to change into after the run (extra shorts or pants and a shirt, maybe a towel) in a small bag. During the summer BBQ's are popular and you'll need to bring some food (to BBQ) and drink (usually beer). It's quite possibly the cheapest entertainment in town!

What is Hashing?

Hashing . . . it's a mixture of athleticism and sociability, hedonism and hard work; a refreshing break from the nine-to-five routine. Hashing is an exhilaratingly fun combination of running, orienteering, and partying, where bands of harriers and harriettes chase hares on five mile-ish trails through town, country, forest and beach, all in search of exercise, camaraderie, and good times.

Hashing, as we know it today, began in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1938, when a group of restive British company men started a hare & hounds running group. They named the group after their meeting place, the Selangor Club, aka the "Hash House." Hash House Harrier runs were patterned after the traditional British public school paper chase. A "hare" would be given a short head start to blaze a trail, marking his devious way with shreds of paper, soon to be pursued by a shouting pack of "harriers." Only the hare knew where he was going - the harriers followed his marks to stay on trail. Apart from the excitement of chasing down the wily hare, solving the hare's marks and reaching the end was its own reward, for there, thirsty harriers would find a tub of iced-down beer.

Hashing died during World War II (Japanese occupying forces being notoriously opposed to civilian fun), but came back to life in the post-war years, spreading slowly through Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, then exploding in popularity in the late 70s and early 80s. Today there are thousands of Hash House Harrier clubs in all parts of the world, complete with newsletters, directories, and regional and world hashing conventions.

Despite its growth, hashing hasn't strayed far from its British and Malaysian roots. A typical hash "kennel" is a loosely-organized group of 20-40 men and women who meet weekly or biweekly to chase the hare. We follow chalk, flour, or paper, and the trails are never boring. When forced to, we'll run the occasional street or alley, but in general we prefer shiggy . . . fields, forests, jungles, swamps, streams, fences, storm drains, and cliffs. And although some of today's health-conscious hashers may shun a cold beer in favor of water or a diet soda, trail's end is still a party. Perhaps that's why they call us the "drinking club with a running problem!"

So, if you'd like to spice up your running program with fun, good company, new surroundings, and physical challenge, try hashing. Just remember one thing . . . never wear new shoes to the hash!