WHAT IS HASHING???

Do you like running? How about drinking beer? Combine these two activities with a little fun, frivolity, madness, and mayhem. Then remove all sense of seriousness, competition, and political correctness. What you get is the "sport" of hashing. To truly understand hashing, you'll have to enjoy a hash run in person. New hashers (hash-virgins) are always welcome!

WHERE DID HASHING BEGIN?

Hashing evolved from the British running games of paper chases and hares and hounds. The first to call themselves hashers were British army troops stationed in Malaysia in 1939, who started running to stay fit, but then found it was much more fun if there was drinking involved afterwards. The name "hashers" comes from the club where they usually wound up doing their drinking. The food was so terrible that they called the place the "Hash House", and so they began calling themselves the "Hash House Harriers." They had so much fun hashing that they kept it up after returning to England. The idea spread, and now you can find a hashing club in nearly every major city around the world!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The "hare" lays a trail of flour and chalk which the "hounds" then follow in order to reach the "on-in" for the drinking and celebration that follow. The hare will deliberately lay false trails and other confusing marks to slow down the pack and keep from being caught. Hashing is a noncompetitive sport, and nobody pays much attention to who finishes the trail first. Drinking penalties called "down-downs" are awarded at the on-in to those who violate any of the many hash traditions. Down-downs are usually beer, but everyone is welcome to consume the beverage of their choice, be it beer, soda, water, fruit-juice, or whatever. Everyone usually pitches in $5 at the start of the hash to cover the cost of the snacks and beverages provided at the on-in. Hashers typically love dirty jokes, bawdy songs, and being as non-politically-correct as possible, so these traits are highly encouraged! The whole idea is to cut loose, have a good time, and maybe get a little exercise while you're at it.

WHAT ARE THE TRAILS LIKE?

They aren't too predicatable, and it's entirely up to whoever has volunteered to be the hare. We usually run, jog, walk, or crawl (your choice!) anywhere from 2-5 miles, mostly off road. Trails often pass over, under, around, and through creeks, rivers, bridges, tunnels, railroad tracks, or whatever interesting terrain the hare can find. We've occassionally been seen hashing through residential areas, shopping malls, public concerts, storm drains, rope bridges, farmer's fields...you name it! Our hares often lay both a walker's trail and a longer, more challenging runner's trail, but every hash is different

WHAT TYPE OF FOOLS HASH?

Hashers are a VERY diverse group of deviant joggers, walkers, runners, and so on...anybody who has half a mind to give it a try. Our group is made up of military, lawyers, doctors, housewives, students, and some who just refuse to talk about work at all (hmmmmm....). The one thing everyone has in common is desire to have a great time while meeting new friends.

WHEN DO HASHES TAKE PLACE?

In OKC we usually hash every Saturday unless there is a special event. The location is different every week and is chosen by whoever has volunteered to be the hare. Start times vary, but in the winter we usually start around 4pm. In the summer, when the OKC weather gets HOT, we normally don't get together until at least 5pm. To find out where and when the next OKCW3H3 hash will be, check the schedule here on the website, or email the On-Sec

MAY I BRING MY PET TO THE HASH?

You can always bring your pocket mouse. But if you're talking about your dog, we do not encourage the practice, nor do we proscribe it. Remember, if you have a dog on trail, you are totally responsible for the animal. If it needs water, you're responsible for providing the water; if trail goes over a six-foot barbed-wire fence, you're responsible for getting the critter up-over-and-down; if it takes a shit, you're responsible for moving the shit to a place where no Hasher (nor any "regular" pedestrian) will step in it.

You are also responsible for making sure that neither the dog nor its leash get underfoot or entangled in the legs of running Hashers. And, if the On-In or On-After is at a venue where pets are not allowed (e.g. in a barroom), you're responsible for finding a safe (non-injurious to the animal or to passers-by) place to stash the animal while we're inside.

Hint: Check with the Hares to find out if the trail and/or On-In/After will be animal-friendly before you bring your pet.

MAY I BRING MY KID TO THE HASH?

If your kid is 18 or older, sure. If your kid is younger than 18 and of sufficient stature and fitness to be able to safely (or as safely as any other Hasher) negotiate trail, then use your good judgment, remembering that, as with a pet, you are totally responsible for your offspring unit's well-being and behavior. We discourage under-21s from participating in the Circle because of the "bawdy" content and alcohol consumption. Additionally, under-21s may not be permitted into some of the venues (barrooms) that we visit. Finally, we do not feel that young, impressionable children should be on trail, nor should they be present at the Circle. The Hash is not their place, and SCH4 will not and cannot be accountable for either their safety or their cultivation.

I'm a walker - can I walk trail?

Yes, certainly. Walkers are welcome; however, remember that we are "A Drinking Club with a Running Problem", so special accommodations (maps, special instructions) for walkers are not required / not always provided. Hares will provide a "walkers' map" or other instructions to the extent that trail will not be easily navigable for injured Hashers, pregnant Hashers, Hashers who are trying to run, etc. Hares may provide a more general walkers' map at their own discretion. Our experience is that walkers (not mosiers, not lollygaggers) have no problem following trail, even staying with / keeping up with the pack, so WALKERS ARE NOT TO LEAVE THE START BEFORE THE RUNNERS! However, if you do fall behind the pack, know that pack arrows may or may not be present (or, if present, may not be correct) at each decision point, so you are expected to know how to find trail. It is also advisable to carry your cell phone and have a contact at trail's end. Beyond that, if you're out for an afternoon mosey, do so at your own risk.

I couldn't make it to the run, but came to the On-After and paid Hash Cash. Why didn't I get credit for the Hash?

We are certainly delighted to see your smilin' face at the On-After, but in order to be "counted" as having run the Hash, one must either do (run or walk) trail or contribute to trail. For example, an injured Hasher might agree to tend to the BN and the associated clean-up, or otherwise assist the Hares - that individual would be counted as having "done trail" and therefore get credit for the Hash.

Btw, if you do show just at the On-After - yes, you are expected to pay Hash Cash if you want to drink Hash beer.