Ascension : The Mystique of the Hash
Submitted by The Islander (Raymond Ellick) 29.03.2007 (Article Archived on 12.04.2007)

What is it about Hashing that casts a spell over us and feeds our addiction?

This question is raised because curious people ask about it. They do not understand why mature adults participate in an activity where the downsides and hazards are so obvious. They wonder why we are seen to abuse our bodies and risk our necks by running through inhospitable terrain, thickets clogged with thorns poised to shred our legs. Venues often burgeoning with cactus, flies and other endemic creatures in that particular corner of the world. Why do we choose to run up and down steep and slippery trails filled with rocks and roots? What sadistic impulse drives the hares to lay trails that make us run through monsoon drains, climb over barbed wire, slosh through streams and swampland, trespass on private property and golf courses, court disaster by feeling our way through dark water filled culverts?

Men and women of all ages regularly savour this group activity that takes us bounding over trails, rocks, through bushes, sometimes on patches of asphalt. The variety of locales is wonderful. The non-competitive aspect of Hashing is a joyful release from the oval track, stop-watches and the finishing chute of the road race. Hashing is, after all, a weird concept in the world of recreational running it’s a mixture of athleticism, and sociability, hedonism and hard work; a refreshing break from the nine-to-five routine. The hashing approach takes us to a different level of fitness that contributes to a sound body in a less aggressive way. We can replace the grimace with a smile as the road to fitness takes us into an environment filled with sights, sounds and the smells of nature. Hashing is an exhilarating fun combination of running, orienteering, and partying, where bands of harriers and harriettes chase the hares on eight to ten kilometre long trails through town, country, jungle and desert, all in search of exercise, camaraderie, and good times.

People wonder how men and women … especially men …can reconcile themselves to a degree of shamelessness that allows them to participate in a huge slice of lunacy called a  ”Red Dress Run”. Our favoured response is to tell these perplexed mortals  ”We are a drinking club with a running problem!” It is a rejoinder that often elicits a broad smile and maybe a shout of approval … but its also misleading. One of the wonderful things about Hashers ifs their un-stated and unspoken resolve to never put pressure on anyone to use alcoholic beverages. It is clearly understood that some people prefer not to use alcohol, these hashers are accorded total respect. We don’t even joke about it.

The Hash rewards include a higher level of camaraderie that can only exist amongst close friends. Mutually shared expressions of warmth and affection doled out with hugs and smiles that extend naturally beyond the event. Back to the individuals, because here is where we have something special in the social interaction of all kinds of men and women. What is wonderful about it, and what is something of a unique hash phenomenon, is the total, unquestioning acceptance that Hashers have for each other. People do not come to the Hash with agendas that include a need to impress others,

how important, or rich, how smart they are. Nobody cares if you are a plumber, stockbroker, unemployed or an executive. The criteria is acceptance into the Hash. To that end, another characteristic and symbol of acceptance into the Hash group is the award of a nickname that the assembled hashers duly hang on to a newly inducted member. The scatological approach to award a raunchy name for the victim is just another means of breaking down any social barrier of class or creed. The “award ceremony” is like nothing else and is included in the ‘aprés’, this is the climax to our physical exertions, and for some the thirsty ‘Hashers’ a much needed tub of iced-down beer.

The age, gender, or lifestyle of the newcomer is irrelevant, the encompassing arms of the hash will be long enough and strong enough to embrace all people in the circle.

The Mystique

If you are talking to a Hasher, you don’t need to explain your addiction.

If you are talking to a non-Hasher you can’t explain it.

The Goals of the Hash (taken from the 1938 charter of the Kuala Lumpur Hash House Harriers).

• To promote physical fitness amongst our members.
  
• To get rid of weekend hangovers.
  
• To acquire and satisfy good thirst.
  
• To persuade older members that they are not as old as they feel.

Every weekend the Ascension Island Hash House Harriers hosts 15 – 30 runners, and has rarely missed a weekend since it’s formation in 1984. There must be something that drives the compulsion.

So….if you’d like to spice up your running/walking programme with fun, good company, new surroundings, and a physical challenge, try hashing, one day you will understand and enjoy the mystique.