The trail of fitness for beer guzzlers

Some people in the city have found a new excuse to gulp down those extra bottles of beer, and that too without gaining weight. Well, they run for an hour before drinking!

Some people in the city have found a new excuse to gulp down those extra bottles of beer, and that too without gaining weight. Well, they run for an hour before drinking!

‘Hash House Harriers - The drinking group with a Running Problem’ is a community of working professionals who run through new terrains of the city for an hour before they treat themselves to unlimited bottles of beer.

The run, or ‘hash’, as it’s called by the members, is based on the international game of Hares and Hounds, which makes sure that the fast runners and the slow walkers reach the destination together. The front runners have the task of finding the right way from two or three trails, including a false trail marked with shredded paper, chalk and flour. The front runners say ‘On On’ when they find the correct path for walkers to catch up with them.

All in jest

After the run gets completed, the group members form a circle, where everybody jokes with each other. Conducted by a grand master, the ceremony starts with a group song and the introduction of new members or ‘hashers.’

Those flouting rules, such as, taking a short cut and using technology, are then made to sit on a block of ice while the charges are evaluated. Also, if a group member is found wearing new shoes for the run, he is made to drink beer from his shoe, while those completing a total of 50 runs are presented with a beer soaked T-shirt as a memento.

After the ceremony, all group members go for a beer-guzzling session, while catching up with each other. Each member has to pay Rs 150 per event and can have unlimited beer or fruit juice.

Hash History
Started in Malaysia in 1938 by a British accountant, A. S. Gispert, the first hash in India was held in 1984 by Charlie Stevens, Bryan Wells and Avinash Bindra. Hash exists in 78 countries at present, providing instant connectivity to travelling members of the group.

Hash Groups in Delhi
Delhi Hash, alternate monday — 6pm to 8pm
Party Hash, alternate wednesday — 7pm to 10pm
Capital Hash, every saturday — 3.30pm to 6pm
Family Hash, last sunday of the month — 11am to 4pm