New meaning for 'beer run'
If you want to hang with the Horse's Ass Hash House Harriers, Humpback will caution you against uttering the "C word" (competitiveness), the "M word" (marathon) or the "R word" (race). Being too competitive is an offense worthy of a "down-down."
A what-what?
"The first rule of hashing is there are no rules, but there are points of etiquette," says David Wells (hash name: Humpback), who organized the Lexington group in August.
Lest you get the wrong idea, "hashing" has nothing to do with funny substances -- well, unless you think beer is funny. Hashing, a running game based on the British kids' game Hounds and Hares, got its start in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1938. It takes its name from the gathering spot of the original hashers, the Hash House, known for its corned beef hash.
Today, you can find hashing groups around the world. While many overseas groups are tame, hashing got more "vulgar and adult-oriented" when it got to America, Humpback says.
"We're kind of a PG or PG-13 hash," he says of the Lexington group, which bills itself as a "drinking club with a running problem."
Last weekend, I caught up with the HAH3 at its Sunday run. The event, which began at the Arboretum on Alumni Drive, drew experienced hashers Heather Auman, a plastics engineer, and Steve Armstrong, a local lawyer. Also in the pack were newbies Lowell and Betty Nigoff, who run Lowell's Bluegrass Automotive.
Auman, who's been hashing for about three years, has run with clubs in Cairo, Egypt; and in Guangzhou and Mecau, China.
She says it's a great de-stresser. You don't have to "worry about work or talk about work subjects."
At last Sunday's hash, the hare -- Humpback in this case -- arrived early to lay a 3-mile trail, using splotches of flour, chalk marks and landscaping flags.
After explaining the marks (some can lead you down a false path), he turned us loose. The hashers were friendly and chatty, and soon I was into the hunt -- which took us everywhere from the KET studios to the Central Baptist lot.
At trail's end, everyone circled up -- a hashing tradition -- for the naming of various "offenses" and assigning of "down-downs," which are really a reward, not a punishment. That means you chug your drink of choice -- beer, water, Gatorade -- while other hashers serenade you with lyrics that won't make it into a family newspaper.
Ever freak anyone out?
"It happens occasionally," Humpback says. "That's one of the things about the hash -- we do sometimes scare the virgins (the first-timers) off, but sometimes they take to it like ducks to water."
So is hashing more about running or drinking?
"It's more about camaraderie," Humpback says. "It's about hanging out and having fun and meeting some interesting people."
Hash it out
The Horse's Ass Hash House Harriers is always looking for new hashers. The trail is usually 3 to 5 miles, and runners and walkers are welcome. The group meets every two weeks, alternating between Saturdays and Sundays. Afterward, they usually move on to a bar for beer and a bite to eat.
American hashers have a reputation for drinking and bawdy behavior, but non-drinkers are always welcome.
There's a whole hashing culture out there, which you can learn more about by going to www.geocities. com/lexingtonhah3 or www. half-mind.blogspot.com.
The Lexington group's next hash is Saturday. Check its Web site for the location. The cost to participate is $6.
Reach Kelli Patrick, a former Herald-Leader assistant features editor, at kpatrick_hl@yahoo.com |
