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The Hash House Harrier is a running-drinking-social club that was formed in 1938 in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Bored British expatriates living there often organized modified English game of hares and hounds usually followed by visiting the local restaurant nicknamed "Hash House" for the poor quality of food. The new fraternity adopted the name of the restaurant. Gradually the philosophy of the Hash House Harrier was advancing in popularity and now you can find Hashes in about 200 countries all over the world.
The basis of the club philosophy was the old English game of hares and hounds where one or two members are given several minutes head start and drop shredded paper as the "scent". After the prescribed time the hounds follow and try to catch the hares. The hares lay the trail in a straight or obvious line, but then they can stop laying trail and run off in another direction and begin laying the trail after 100 meters or so. When the hounds discover that they have been no longer on trail, they fan out in all directions in search of the "scent" and call to the others when the trail was once again discovered.
The main difference between the Hash House Harriers and other running clubs is that social camaraderie and non-competitive aspects of the group's activities are considered to be much more important than the sport of hare and hounds itself. After the hare and hounds running the group gather for a little social activity known as the Down Downsin a local bar, where they celebrate new runners, various social events and find other reasons to drink beer or some other beverage and have a good time.
To become the member of the "drinking club with a running problem" you only have to be endowed with a good sense of humor, other factors (your weight, age, sex, level of running) do not matter at all.
The runs that usually start in front of the US embassy take place on Saturdays at 14:00. The routes are changed each time. So contact John Miller at the mentioned phone number to find more accurate information about the meeting place and the route.
