Harriers'
specialty: having fun on the run
Minneapolis Star Tribune
15 November 1992
By Nolan Zavoral
Hash House
puts the 'jock' in 'jocularity
A cry rang out: "On!
On!" A pack of runners swerved toward the
sound, which was emanating from one of their number
who had found the correct trail to follow. The
Minneapolis Hash House Harriers regrouped and plodded
onward.
The Harriers form a most
unusual running club. Courses vary from 2 to 12
miles, but winning not only is inconsequential, it's
discouraged. Times are not kept.
Participants carry whistles to call back the
leaders. False trails are marked to frustrate
pace-setters. The idea is to enjoy the run
while conversing in the middle of the pack -- and to
work up a thirst. There are beer, pop and
water stops along the way. Of the 15 to 20
runners who pay $5 apiece for a run, most favor hops,
members say.
The Minneapolis branch, one of
1,200 worldwide, is the state's only chapter.
More than 100 runs have been held since the
Minneapolis chapter was formed in 1985.
The English originated the
concept. In 1938, several British
officers were eating and drinking at an Indonesian
club nicknamed the Hash House. They decided
they were sadly out of shape. Something should
be done -- and it was, right after the next
round. Soon, they began running through the
jungle, following a paper-marked trail.
The Minneapolis club runs
year-around on Sundays, usually along a cross-country
course, although malls and caves have been
used. Special runs are scheduled the night of
the full moon. "One night we ran through
the rotunda at the Capitol when the Legislature was
still in session," said St.. Paul's Jack
Scheeler, a member since '87. "We were
using our whistles and hollering, 'On! On!' The
police weren't sure what we were up to.
"We ran right through it all. We do have
some fun times."