Hashing is a semi-athletic, social drinking club based on the the traditional British paper chase or “Hare and Hounds”. It originated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, back in 1938, and has spread around the world as a form of non-competitive exercise with the unique benefit of allowing the opportunity to vent frustration & release energy (through running), but mainly to provide entertainment & socialize with others (through drinking beer).
We’ve been called a ‘drinking club with a running problem’; running is loosely used to mean running, jogging, walking or even crawling. Our hashes are not races and not to be taken seriously. The main objective is to have fun while working up a decent thirst which will be relieved at the après-hash session.
How do I join?
You can hash at any level of fitness and at any age, although good attitude, personality, thirst, humour and a sharp wit are important attributes. If you have half a mind, that’s all you need as well as a pair of old running shoes and a spare set of clothing. Just turn up, say hello, and enjoy yourself.
What happens next?
Whenever you come & run, you pay a sub of €5.00. Once you have been given a hash name, you’ll pay €4.00. The fee covers plates, utensils, tables and more importantly, both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages consumed during down-downs after the run.
Each participant is expected to contribute a plate of edible hash grub to share amongst the group after a run. On a special occasion a restaurant may be chosen as the venue to finish a run and no plate is required.
Hash name
After 6 runs with BHH you will hopefully be awarded a hash name during the down-downs at a naming ceremony . All hashers present can suggest appropriate names which will be voted upon. The voting is always highly accurate and usual carried out on a decibel rating as registered by the hashmaster or hare for the day’s run. Should no suitable names be put forward or the decibel rating deemed too low to register, then a further vote may be taken after a suitable drinking time has elapsed or even deferred to the next run.
Where?
We lay our trails with plenty of false trails, long & short splits and sometimes beer stops and regroups in Barcelona itself or within a radius of 20 kms of the city centre with access to the start of the runs by train or metro. Where a train is not available to reach the hash start, hashers can be collected from the nearest station after leaving a message with the hash cabbie preferably, or anyone else on the Mismanagement. The hash cabbie can also arrange transport to runs utilising free space in the cars of other hashers. At least once a year a run may be scheduled as a weekend trip outside of Barcelona.
When?
Barcelona HHH runs are generally held on the last weekend of the month though in July and August, we don’t meet because it is too hot and we’re on the beach!
From May to September, the hash is on Saturday evening starting at 5pm. From October to April, the hash is on Sunday starting at 1pm.
Note that there may be exceptions due to special circumstances and it is best to always check the hash diary or contact someone from the Mismanagement.
The venue & time for the next hash always appear on the poster on the right hand side, with a link to a map and directions in English & Spanish. See you soon, you’ll love it once you give it a go!