Social jogging: around the world with the Hash House Harriers - worldwide jogging and social clubs - includes related article on social walking

American Fitness, July-August, 1991 by Dennis A. Cavagnaro, Jeanette Dvorak

While membership in most Hashes cuts across occupational lines, many in the United States were founded by our returning military. So too our British allies. The Falklands Hash is supported by Royal Marines who have so far avoided minefields. It's so windy there, the Hares use cardboard cut-out check signs weighted down with stones. British Army Gurkha officers run the Dharan and the Kathmandu ("The World's Highest Hash") Hashes. Shipboard Hashes must run on shore leave. Among these is the U.S.S. Blue Ridge, the flagship of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet. But fear not, the "civilians" from all walks of life have long dominated Hashing.

Unfortunately, Hashing is barely tolerated in some communities as Hash trails have taken runners through churches, elegant hotels, Nieman Marcus, Grand Central and Penn Stations and on. We passed startled Chinese dusting off a relatives' bones in a Taipei Cemetery. The Hong Kong Hash makes a point of charging through the lobby of the posh Peninsula Hotel each New Year's Day.

While each Hash is in essence, a private club, members are usually happy to invite out for a run anyone who asks. Hashes are not listed in any telephone directory, but can be sought out with a little ingenuity. Usually in the British, Australian and New Zealand embassies, particularly those in the Far East, someone knows a Hasher. Often the U.S. Marines, who guard virtually every American embassy and some American Consulates, run in the local Hash.

The best Hash directory is the World Hash Handbook and Hash history, "OnOn!" A Golden Jubilee by Tim "Magic" Hughes. Both may be ordered from Harrier International, GPO Box 1670, Bangkok, 10501, Thailand. The book describes the character (and characters) of each Hash and equally important describes Hashing's origins and world-wide growth. On the humorous side is, Half A Mind by Alice A. Johnson, aka "Mad Rushin."

Hashes are self-governing. The rules are: There are no rules. However, two members are usually elected to head a Hash and are called the "Joint Masters." The secretary is the "On Sec" and the "Hash Cash" is naturally the treasurer. Dues vary, but may average as little as $3 a week. A weekly newsletter describes the most recent run in disparaging terms and also gives the location of the next few runs' starting points and Hare assignments.

Rs are numbered and each 100th run is celebrated as a special event, complete with commemorative t-shirts and mugs. Invitations are often extened to spouses, children and other Hashes. Periodically, Hashes come together for joint runs on a regional basis or internationally.

On even-numbered years, Hashers from around the world join in a giant Interhash (also called a "Hash Unconvention"), usually held in the Far East and sponsored wholly or in part by the local major brewery. So far, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur ("The Mother Hash"), Jakarta, Sydney, Pattaya Beach, Thailand, Bali and Manila have hosted Interhash.

Hashers from all around the world are planning to meet July 3, 4 and 5, 1992 in Phuket, Thailand for Interhash '92. Contact Interhash '92, P.O. Box 33, Patong Beach, Phuket 83150, Thailand.