What is Hashing
The Hash House Harriers (HHH or H3) is an international group of non-competitive running social clubs.
The event is called “Hashing.”
The induvial clubs are called “Kennels.”
Members are referred to as Harriers or Harriettes based on gender or preference.
There are many levels of hashing. Generally you have your local kennels that run once or several times a month. This is the majority of what hashing is. If you travel you can find the local area kennels and do a trail with them.
Generally they meet at a certain time on a certain day. You mingle for a short time, have “chalk talk,” enjoy the trail, gather for a closing circle, and then sometimes off to a an establishment or house to end the evening with food and beverages. Beers are found throughout the event. Some trails are during the week and others on the weekend. Some places you can do trail multiple times a day if scheduled right.
Once you feel comfortable with hashing I suggest visiting other kennels. Visit your other local kennels and also go to some of the larger events. These are regional, national, world, and special events.
As of 2025 I have been to many regional hashes (PNW, Goldrush, Alpaca, Red Dress, Catholic School girl, Texas InerHash, and more), 2 America hashes (CO 2009 and AZ 2017), 2 World hashes (Trinidad & Tobago 2022, New Zealand 2024), and 2 Special hashes (Mother 2018, Antarctica 2025). These larger events are more of a weekend or more. Some have pre and post events to go with it. Some of these events can be from 50 hashers to over 2,000 hashers and you will meet hashers from all over the world, learn different traditions, songs, and experiences. And guess what, it is amazing and fun!
The history
1938
Hashing originated in December 1938 in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, then in the Federated Malay States (now Malaysia). A group of British immigrants began meeting on Friday evenings, to run in a fashion patterned after the traditional British game of hare and hounds. The original members included Albert Stephen Ignatius Gispert ("G"), Cecil Lee, Frederick Thomson ("Horse"), Ronald Bennett ("Torch"), Eric Galvin, H.M. Doig, and John Woodrow.[
1950
While attempting to reorganize in the city of Kuala Lumpur after World War II, hashers were informed by the Registrar of Societies that, since they were a "group", they would require a constitution. The objectives of the Hash House Harriers as recorded on the club registration card dated 1950 are:
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To promote physical fitness among our members
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To get rid of weekend hangovers
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To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer
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To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel
2005
Dirty learns about Hashing! and that is where the rest of my adventures begin. Look through my pages and blogs to know more!