Currently on holiday in Devon and thought Id share a running - TopicsExpress

Currently on holiday in Devon and thought Id share a running experience I had on Wednesday. I hooked up with local hashing club South Hams Hash House Harriers. Didnt have a clue what hashing was, only that it involved running, some form of navigation and beer. While those were the three main components of the evening there was also a lot of confusion, false trails leading up epic hills, wading through knee deep estuary mud, crawling under bramble hedges, fields full of cows(confidently tackled by experienced hashers. The best thing to do apparently is run through them waving your arms. Do not try this at home) constant banter and a proper beer and snack stop set up mid way through! Basically, someone will lay a trail using spots of flour (this person is known as a hare) At forks in the trail there will be a circle and the faster runners will go on and look for the trail. Once the correct route has been established runners will kick out the flour in the right direction for everyone to follow. Afterwards, to the pub where a few curious traditions are played out. Theres a nicknaming ceremony for newly established hashers. The nickname you are given is for life and everyone will know you and address you by it-forever. I really felt sorry for Tosser, Wet Spot and Little Sh*t. Then someone tells the story of the evenings hash, which is about 10% accurate, and anyone who has done anything stupid (like lost a shoe in the mud) or broken one of the many rules are nominated for down-downs. Everyone else then sings a song about running and drinking beer while the nominees down a glass of beer. I highly recommend anyone to try this. There are hashing clubs all over the world. The one I attended was very organised and catered for all abilities and ages with long, short and medium distance routes. It only cost a pound too. Heres a link en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers