History of Hash House Harriers.
Hashing is about a group of fun loving people doing their weekly "run" ( read walk as well ), have a good round of beer at the end of it and socialize over some crazy activities together. In old Malaya before the war, there were many colonial officers and expatriates living here, especially in KL. Some of them, particularly the bachelors were lodged at a building behind the present day Selangor Club. The living quarters were on the first floor while the ground floor was a cafe serving food. The lodging there includes food that were served daily to the officers who stayed there. It was chinese food, but probably fused with western menu to suit the expatriates community staying there. They began to call that Selangor Club annex building the Hash House. KL was still quite a jungle then and there was pretty much nothing to do but to gather at the Hash House to drink and socialise. Then once a week, they would have a run to try and clear off the excesses of the week. The weekly run was patterned after the British Hare and Hound paper chase. The paper trail was laid by the hare ahead of the pack of runners called the hounds. This paper chase was one of the favourite sport in Britain those days until cricket and other sports took over. In Malaya, the paper chase was always in the jungle. One of the officer by the name of G.S Gispert decided to have a name and called it the Hash House Harriers, after the Hash House they stayed in. That was in 1938 and that's the year HHH was born and Gispert was credited as the founder together with nine other officers staying at the Hash House. Little did they know that they had started a worldwide phenomena.The sport soon generate a huge following after WW2 having spread to Singapore and quickly from South East Asia to Britain and on to Europe, America and the world over. Today it is everywhere with more than 2,000 chapters including the Antartica ! There is even a White House Hash in the states ! What begun as a casual activity by a group of British officers in KL had spread beyond the imagination of the founders. The chapter started by the officers at Selangor Club had the honour to be fondly referred to as the motherhash to the world hashing community.
G.S.Gispert, Hash founder.
The old Selangor Club Annex which was called the Hash House. It was demolished to make way for the link road behind present day Selangor Club.
Introduction to Hash House Harriers.
I was introduced into the hashing community by Patrick "Kangaroo" Lam in 1990. He was running with the PJ Hash House Hazards before he was transferred to Malacca by his company, Taisho Marine Insurance to start a Branch office. He did better than that by also starting a Hash chapter in Malacca that comprises mostly the Branch Managers and officers of most of the insurance companies in Malacca. That chapter started with about 20 plus members and is called the Malacca Hash House Hazards, an off shoot of the PJ Hazards. This is a "batang" chapter ( males only ) and is prone to go "off tangent" during their weekly down down. As such, we were also called " Orang Gila " in the hashing community.
I had not hash since coming back to KL in 1997, but took the opportunity to introduce my colleagues to Hashing some years back when we had a marketing meeting in Malacca. With the assistance of Billy ( Chap Pueh Khor ), he organized the run at Krubong where the whole pack got lost because another hash chapter was laying the run at the same area. We picked up their paper after the first check that leads to nowhere and had to be rescued after a about an hour wait. Nevertheless, the first timers were excited on hashing and the down down during the hash circle.
Flashback : Hash Run in Malacca in 2007.
The group comprising of Central Region Marketers and guests.
Jacus nearly hanged his balls on the barb.
Henceforth, on hashing days, you shall be known by your hash name and not the one given at birth.
Down the hatch, Sia and Millie on ice during down down.
Flashback : Hash Run in Malacca in 2007.
I had wanted to do another one in KL for a long time and managed to get it off the ground last Thursday, 13.6.13, with the help of my wonderful friends, Warlord and Songbird of the Hokkien Hash. They had made us the T shirts with our Zurich Hash logo, laid the paper trail and got the food and beer van ready on site. That was not all. At least 10 members of the Hokkien Hash were on site to help with the run. A few of them lead the way to ensure we stayed on course and some stayed at the back to sweep. Hashing in the jungle can be dangerous when it gets dark.
Zurich Insurance Malaysia Hash Run
Thursday : 13.6.13
Runsite: Setia Eco Park.
The run was delayed by the late arrival of Cheng Wai, Sia and Daniel. They could not leave the office early due to some important calls. On the way in, they took the wrong turn and we had to delay the run by 15 minutes to 6.15 pm. The Hokkien Hash Advisor, KB "Warlord" Chew gave everyone a briefing on the do's and don't of the run. Once that was done, I sounded the "On On" and started everyone on the paper trail. The paper took us across a cleared land of about 100 meters and then up the slope and into the jungle. Everyone was excited at that stretch. It was straightforward and easy, including the slope.
Warlord started the briefing.
Do not try and take short cut.
There will be experienced hashers running with you.
We will have sweepers for you.
Somebody thought hashing is like going to the beach.
Chew Kuan looking fresh and good... for now.
Tsi Ming ready to go.
Honey, I'll be home late today.
Follow this paper.
Virgin hashers.
More virgins.
Steven walking like a school headmaster.
Izham all geared up.
Cheah showing his agility.
Up up and away.
Azari looking fit at the start.
Choo steady and eager.
Eric and Kevin on their virgin run.
Chew Kuan walking briskly and Angie actually running !
Jacus looks very prepared this time.
Daniel with a beer in hand before the run with Ronnie behind.
Kevin still looking fit.
What are you doing, Poh Ling ? Modelling ? Look at CK behind walking gingerly.
Tsi Ming and Khoo are all smiles,
Cheng Wai looks like going for a picnic.
Sia, is he walking on a tight rope ?
Mook looking fit while Po Meng turn back from here as she have height phobia.
Chan and Alicia showing the victory sign, you've only just begun.
Sharul, Ern Chen and Ryan are in no hurry.
Up and into the jungle.
After getting up the slope, the paper trail lead straight into the jungle. It was light undergrowth initially, but as the hashers mover deeper in, the trail turn right and up the slope. It was a short upward climb before the sharp turn downwards on a slope. That downward is tricky as there are some loose earth and lots of dried leaves. One have to be careful with their steps as you can easily slip and roll all the way down the slope. AS soon as you overcome that descend, the route straightened out foe a short stretch before it turn upward again on the left. Once up, the paper trail moves on a flat track that leads to an open clearing.
The action starts here, in the hilly jungle.
Going up the hill.
Now going down.
Yes, use your butt if you have to.
And going up again.
I've never done this before.
Stll going up ladies.
Now down again.
At last, some flat terrain.
Chap Pueh Khor (18 Dollars ), Billy's hash name, cannot break the second check.
It was at this open area where Billy could not break the second check. This allow all the back runners to catch up with the front runners. Some of us fan out to look for the connecting paper. After a total of about 15 minutes, a call "on on" was heard from the front right about 30 meters from the open area. Someone have broken the check. Paper was connected and the run resume. This time I was with the front group with Daniel and a few others. Billy quickly move ahead of us as he wants to stay in front of the pack. The paper lead us up the hill again for quite a distance and then leads us out into another open area. This opening is at the top of the hill that we just climbed, and from here, we could see newly completed residential houses within viewing distance below us. One by one, the runners came out breathing a sigh of relief thinking that we are almost home. Unfortunately for all, the paper takes us back into the jungle for approximately another kilometer back to our starting point. That stretch is a good 20 to 30 minutes walk and by the time we reach our base, it was already pitch dark at 8.00 pm. There were about another 15 runners still in the jungle with the sweepers behind. A few of them actually wandered into an illegal Indonesian settlement in the jungle! They were lead out by the villager there and by the time all got out, it was about 8.30 pm. There were casualties. Po Meng was the first one to turn back at the very beginning of the run.When she was up the slope, she felt giddy as she have height phobia ad gave up straightaway. Chew Kuan was struggling with his legs, Mah Wah Chye too lagged behind struggling to walk properly, Yu Mei had breathing difficulty and I thought Choo's heart was going to stop! But thank god, all came out in one piece!
Oh my god, my butt aches.
Check broken. The papers are on the right, on on !
The trail leads you up the hill again. Daniel is unfazed.
Billy CPK going up the hill fast to remain in front of the pack..
Angie taking a breather.
Bee Bee the happy hasher.
Daniel looking fit with Angie.
Never mind the cuts and scratches on the legs, I enjoy my run.
No problem for Izham
Yu Mei coming out smiling not knowing it's not over yet!
Tony and Chan too thought that this is the final lap.
Azari sure looks happy here.
Sharul going strong.
Victory for Amaal.
We did it ! Thumbs up from Chiew Ping and Cheng.
Eddie with Cheah behind. Not so agile now.
CK Ong, "ang ang bo hai lang ".
Headmaster smiling .
Eric's hair is still intact.
Chew Kuan has a bit of issue with his legs.
Alan, coming through.
Sia out with the aid of tongkat.
Songbird looking good indeed.
Shirley looks like she needs oxygen.
Poh Ling came well prepared, arm socks, drinks, headlight, distance meter. Hans came with just the hat.
Sia just need to rest his weary legs.
At the runsite, the beer van was there serving drinks and food table was laid out. It was chicken soup noodles, boiled eggs with chicken feet in thick sauce while the muslims have nasi kandar. The food always taste good at runsite, but this is truly good food.
In the tradition of hash, the hash circle was formed after everyone had their hearty meal. Warlord welcome all of us to the hashing community and the many who had their virgin run. To start off the down down, I was placed on ice by Warload get things going. I soon took over the chair and start putting some more runners on ice for variety of reasons or for no reasons!
What are we waiting ?
Waiting to start the Kangaroo court
The only "gwai loh" had to be on ice.
Ok, you sing I drink.
Now what's going to happen again ?.
The one that came late.
It;s my navigator, he got lost.
Thank you Hokkien Hash
Down down
Oh why is he born so beautiful.......
oh why was he born at all.....
Let's drink it down down down down....
they can start muslim hash chapter in the future.
Here's to Ben Foo his true blue...
He's a hasher through and through....
He's a pisspot so they say....
For he's a jolly good fellow...
For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good felloooooooow......
Nobody can deny....
Ka ne na bu
c c b
He want's to go to heaven but he went the other way.... drink it down down down down...
For getting all of us down and dirty,
Let's do one back to him.
At about 9.30 pm, the circle ended. It was a fun evening. The run is classified by the Hokkien Hash as a baby run, but to quite a number of Zurich hashers, this being their first time, it was torturous. Nevertheless, all showed a total satisfaction to be able to complete the run. They have no choice anyway. Once in the jungle and dark, where can they go. And the hash circle brings a different dimension to crazy fun. Some songs and act can be repugnant to the prim and proper, but to the hashing community throughout the world, it is norm.
WE have to thank Warlord and Songbird and their Hokkien Hash chapter for organising and coming out in support of our run. We will join them for a few runs and would eventually set up a Zurich HHH chapter in the near future.
ON ON.
After getting up the slope, the paper trail lead straight into the jungle. It was light undergrowth initially, but as the hashers mover deeper in, the trail turn right and up the slope. It was a short upward climb before the sharp turn downwards on a slope. That downward is tricky as there are some loose earth and lots of dried leaves. One have to be careful with their steps as you can easily slip and roll all the way down the slope. AS soon as you overcome that descend, the route straightened out foe a short stretch before it turn upward again on the left. Once up, the paper trail moves on a flat track that leads to an open clearing.
It was at this open area where Billy could not break the second check. This allow all the back runners to catch up with the front runners. Some of us fan out to look for the connecting paper. After a total of about 15 minutes, a call "on on" was heard from the front right about 30 meters from the open area. Someone have broken the check. Paper was connected and the run resume. This time I was with the front group with Daniel and a few others. Billy quickly move ahead of us as he wants to stay in front of the pack. The paper lead us up the hill again for quite a distance and then leads us out into another open area. This opening is at the top of the hill that we just climbed, and from here, we could see newly completed residential houses within viewing distance below us. One by one, the runners came out breathing a sigh of relief thinking that we are almost home. Unfortunately for all, the paper takes us back into the jungle for approximately another kilometer back to our starting point. That stretch is a good 20 to 30 minutes walk and by the time we reach our base, it was already pitch dark at 8.00 pm. There were about another 15 runners still in the jungle with the sweepers behind. A few of them actually wandered into an illegal Indonesian settlement in the jungle! They were lead out by the villager there and by the time all got out, it was about 8.30 pm. There were casualties. Po Meng was the first one to turn back at the very beginning of the run.When she was up the slope, she felt giddy as she have height phobia ad gave up straightaway. Chew Kuan was struggling with his legs, Mah Wah Chye too lagged behind struggling to walk properly, Yu Mei had breathing difficulty and I thought Choo's heart was going to stop! But thank god, all came out in one piece!
Lucy in the sky with diamonds !
At the runsite, the beer van was there serving drinks and food table was laid out. It was chicken soup noodles, boiled eggs with chicken feet in thick sauce while the muslims have nasi kandar. The food always taste good at runsite, but this is truly good food.
In the tradition of hash, the hash circle was formed after everyone had their hearty meal. Warlord welcome all of us to the hashing community and the many who had their virgin run. To start off the down down, I was placed on ice by Warload get things going. I soon took over the chair and start putting some more runners on ice for variety of reasons or for no reasons!
drink it down down down down....
At about 9.30 pm, the circle ended. It was a fun evening. The run is classified by the Hokkien Hash as a baby run, but to quite a number of Zurich hashers, this being their first time, it was torturous. Nevertheless, all showed a total satisfaction to be able to complete the run. They have no choice anyway. Once in the jungle and dark, where can they go. And the hash circle brings a different dimension to crazy fun. Some songs and act can be repugnant to the prim and proper, but to the hashing community throughout the world, it is norm.
WE have to thank Warlord and Songbird and their Hokkien Hash chapter for organising and coming out in support of our run. We will join them for a few runs and would eventually set up a Zurich HHH chapter in the near future.
ON ON.
