About Hashing
Hashing is known as "a drinking club with a running problem". A quick internet search will give you a more nuanced description of Hashing. Basically, if you like to get outside to get a bit of exercise and refresh with beer, you should consider Hashing.
WHY?
This tradition was started in 1938 by a group of British expatriates stationed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a way of using physical exercise to get rid of hangovers. There are hundreds of groups around the world. Below are some links to good resources for Hash House Harrier History.
http://harrier.net/primer/history.html
http://harrier.net/presskit/shistory.html
http://gotothehash.net/history/hhhhistory.html
http://www.kanzelmeyer.com/hash/HI/obit.html
http://www.harrier.org/about.html
http://www.macauhash.com/index.php/history-of-hashing-mainmenu-29
WHAT?
Beer-Run-Beer
A typical Hash will begin at a different location each week. The pack will chase the Hares for a few miles and return for circle and general frivolity. The Hash will normally have at least two adult beverages on trail before returning to the start, where violations of etiquette during the trail will be punished with more beer (included in price) and bad singing (also gratis).
Hashes are followed by food, plentiful refreshment, and much conviviality at the starting point, unless otherwise posted.
WHERE?
Members, known as Hashers, run or jog or walk a route, known as a trail, of about 3 or 4 miles, which are set all over Northern Virginia (sometimes Maryland and West Virginia).
Trails are normally marked in chalk or flour by one member (known as a Hare), who is the only person to know the route prior to the run.
Hashes take in various sights and off-road obstacles (shiggy), and are created in such a way that marathon runners and walkers complete the course in about the same time (normally 45-60 mins).
WHO?
Hashes are not races, and actual running ability is not in any way necessary, although Hashes are a good way to create it. Our group covers semi-serious runners, to new runners, to never have and never likely to run-ners.
First time Hashers are known as NFHN (insert real name) until doing something noteworthy with the group, upon which time they receive a Hash name, some of which you can see on this site.
-///-->Disclaimer<--\\\-
Due to the fact that we "run" over and through various types of terrain, it is entirely possible that you may injure/kill yourself, acquire a nice case of poison ivy, attract a tick, catch Lyme's Disease, or even ruin your new shoes. If any of these things happens to you remember, "It's your own damn fault and the Hillbilly Hash House Harriers are not responsible."