If you have never hashed before and are interested in what this so-called “drinking club with a running problem” is - please read this first!
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the zany and fun world of hashing! Hashing is a fun alternative sport that mixes in a combination of running, walking, orienteering, and of course, a thirst for beer. Together hash members follow a mystery trail laid before us by a wily hare. Trails can take us through unexplored paths, city streets, country roads, and even through sewers, creeks, and rivers! The reward for solving such a trail is made when we finally find the ice cold beer hidden before us by the hare and sharing it all with our friends.
__________________________________
TL;DR
- Wear comfy clothes that you'd run or hike in
- All athletics abilities welcome - runners and walkers alike
- Many of us do not drink at trail so if you’re not a drinker, no worries! The emphasis of our activity is bopping around outside.
- We will assign you a buddy for your first hash and we will make sure you don’t get lost on trail although the pack generally sticks together and is a non-issue anyway
- Just show up and have fun with us! We’re an island of misfit toys and are happy to have new company.
- If the unknown makes you anxious you can keep reading this very detailed first timer guide.
How Do I Join?
Just show up. That's it really. There are no annual dues.
There is no sign up ahead of time. We're a welcoming bunch to all runners and
walkers.
Do I have to be a fast runner?
No! You don't even have to run. We have
both a runners and walkers/hikers trail and generally have a good mix of
runners and walkers/hikers at each trail. All fitness levels are
welcome.
- If you
are a fast runner, congratulations! You get to solve the checks for
everyone!
- If you
are a slow runner, congratulations! You will be working smarter, not
harder!
- If you
are a walker/hiker, you will be in good company!
However, do be aware it is an outdoor activity and you
should have a fitness level where you are able to walk/hike up hills for a
couple miles. Please remember to show up hydrated in the summer months.
What To Do Before Trail
Before joining a hash run event, please make note of the
trail description provided by the Hare’s of that day’s run. These details will
be posted on this website. We use a lot of silly terms and lingo to describe a
run so that our group of runners and walkers know what to expect and how to
dress. Generally, a safe bet is to show up in comfortable running gear that
you’re not afraid to get dirty, ripped, and/or wet. Keep your fancy gym
shoes and new Lulu leggings at home. We also suggest not running with your
expensive phone on trail, unless you have it stored in a secure dry place on
your body. For many hashers, this has been an expensive lesson. We also
recommend you consider bringing an extra set of dry clothes and shoes for after
trail, just in case the run or climate leaves you a little sweaty and wet. It’s
also advised to bring a reusable cup (aka a vessel) with you for after trail
beverages, if you forget to bring a vessel no worries, we may have some extra
lying around for sale or to borrow.
What To Do When You Arrive At Start
When you first arrive at the “Start Location” of the hash
run please introduce yourself to the crowd. Members of MisMan (also known as
MisManagement, we are the people who help keep things semi-organized) will be
happy to show you around and answer any questions you have. First-time visitors
to the Hash are affectionately referred to as “Virgins.” As it lets the rest of
the members of the group (aka pack) know we have someone brand new to the group
and to help make their first hash run with us enjoyable and unforgettable.
Members of MisMan will also be conducting sign-in and collecting hash cash for
today’s trail. Don’t worry about paying for your first trail ($5 aka the
hash cash). At Old Frederick H3, first time hashers are free for their first
run, as you can only be a virgin once!
The RA of the group will introduce themselves to you. They
will be the one to show you the marks that will be used by the hares to lay
trail today. Like we mentioned, hares can be wily, so they will try to use
different marks and false trails to slow the pack down from finding the true
trail to beer. After the RA has given you a brief tutoring session, the Opening
Circle will commence.
Opening Circle
Once sign-in has closed and the hares are away laying trail,
the Opening Circle will start. Here the RA becomes the group “Ring Leader”
announcing important details about today’s trail fellow hashers may have
missed. This is also when the RA will present any new members to the group. As
a hash virgin you’ll be welcomed and everyone will go around the circle
introducing themselves to you by their “hash name,” which usually has a
silly story to corroborate earning such a name. If you forget someone’s name
just peek at their hash necklace they likely are wearing. The RA will also
ask if you will be running or walking on today's trail. Knowing which trail
pace helps assist the RA in assigning you a hash guide who will basically be
there for you to make sure you follow marks, learn a little bit about hashing,
as well answer any questions about trail. Opening Circle will conclude with
a brief warm up exercise so that our joints and muscles are limber and
lubricated. After our warm up exercise the hash is let go to solve the
trail!
On Trail
Here you will run/walk/meander about trail with your
fellow hashers. Be on the lookout for marks! Depending on trail length the
hare may split the runners and walkers apart for brief periods. The end goal is
for runners and walkers to merge back together by Beer Check and On-In (aka the
end of trail). If you’d like to know more about the terms used in hashing or
what the hash marks mean ahead of time please refer to our Glossary for a
brief synopsis.
Beer Check
This is the reward for solving trail thus far! Here the
whole pack comes together again to enjoy a beverage. If you’re not much of a
beer drinker or not comfortable running with beer in your belly that is a-okay.
Typically, the hares will provide water at Beer Check. You are also more than
welcome to bring your own hydropack along with you if you prefer. Depending on
the hare and their budget they may also have ciders or seltzers at the Beer
Check, however this is not a guarantee for every trail and hare.
On-In/ The End of Trail
Trail concludes when we reach our end destination, which is
usually labeled in chalk somewhere “On-In.” Usually, On-In ends where trail had
started (unless announced otherwise by the hare & RA). Here hashers can
catch a breath, change into dry clothes, and grab a snack as we wait for the
rest of the group to run/walk/meander back. Once we have everyone back and
accounted for, the End Circle will begin.
End-Circle
Just as trail starts with an Opening Circle, so must we
close with an End-Circle. Here the RA will announce the time to start
End-Circle and for everyone to “charge your vessels,” which means make sure
your cup has some beer, soda, or water in it. End-Circle is the point in time
where we call out the hares for the trail they laid, poke fun of hilarious
moments done on trail, and honor those who went above and beyond on trail with
rowdy songs concluded by Down-Downs.
End-Circle is also when the RA will call in our hash
virgins. Here you will partake in your own special Down-Down ceremony. The RA
will teach you the art of the Down-Down. It’s basically showing you the custom
of how you drink a beer when being called out into circle. It’s not very
complicated, just be sure to listen to the hash song chorus chant of “down-down,
down-down, down-down,” that’s when you can start drinking your beer. Once
you complete your very first Down-Down you will no longer be considered a
virgin hasher, and will now be a “Just” hasher until you earn your very own
hash name. (ex. Just Mary)
The art of the Down-Down is a tradition of hashing that is
carried all around the world. If you’re interested to see some examples of
Down-Downs and End-Circle traditions feel free to watch this YouTube clip.
End-Circle will carry on until the RA decides to wrap things
up. Usually there is an announcement for the On-After location the hares have
personally picked out for everyone. The On-After location is optional.
Typically it is a bar, restaurant, or someone's own backyard for the kennel to
all meet up and have lunch before moving on about their day. Some stay for
On-After and some head home to the real world. All are totally
acceptable.
What’s Next and How Do I Earn A Cool Hash Name?
If you like hashing just keep coming! The more you hash the more things you’ll learn about hashing and how different each trail can possibly be. If you want to continue and are interested in earning a sweet hash name and necklace you must sign up to hare. To earn a hash name you must attend at least 3 hash trails with Old Frederick H3 and you must have co-hared an Old Frederick H3 trail. Your fellow hashers are always willing to help show a new hasher the ropes and help hare a trail with you. If you don’t know who to ask to help lay a trail with speak to one of the MisMan member’s called the “HareRazor,” They are the one who helps organize trail details and dates.
You can also check out all the other Hash Kennels found throughout the Maryland area and beyond. Each kennel has its own unique set of traditions and trails. The joy of hashing is visiting other kennels and seeing how different they can be! As well as exploring new areas you never dreamed of running through.
No comments:
Post a Comment