The Hash House Harriers, Durban

Delwyn McNamara, Member

Durban Hash was founded in 1971 by Peter Dominey, and is part of a worldwide organisation of friendly groups of runners who practise the ‘sport’ of Hare and Hounds.

What exactly is the sport of Hare and Hounds? Some runners are hares, and others are hounds. It’s the hare’s job to mark a four- or five-kilometre trail, using a variety of materials: mielie-meal, chalk, paper. A pack of hounds follow the trail.

But it’s not that simple: three ‘H’ signs are used to mark various checkpoints, which in turn indicate three possible routes. Hounds branch out to find the correct route; and once they’ve done so successfully, the leading hound shouts: “On, on, on!” This lets the back markers know they’re on the right route.

Back then, Hash was known as a drinking club with a running problem: we did very weird things – like running naked in the streets. But as the laws on public indecency have evolved, so too has the group. Nowadays, we’ve mellowed out. But that’s not to say we haven’t kept Dominey’s traditions alive.

We form a circle after each run, where the hares are thanked for the run, and important life events like birthdays are celebrated. But it’s also where the sinners – those who’ve transgressed the rules, particularly by showing too much athletic prowess – are punished. Adults are ‘fined’ by having to down a shooter.

Once, four of the girls were targeted for running in a different direction to the route the hare’s markings had suggested. Our punishment, in the circle, was to lie in the middle of it. In a bucket, the other Hashers mixed a foul concoction of dishwashing liquid, sugar, syrup and tomato sauce – and threw it all over us!

Each new Hasher is given a nickname, in a ceremony that takes place in the circle. Then your new name is registered online, which means you’ll be welcomed at any Hash run in the world. International Hashers will put you up and show you around.

Your Hash name is derived from a silly thing you’ve done. Mine is ‘Rough Rider’. A fellow Hasher (Hash name ‘Marlboro Man’) once asked me what it’s like to wear a saddle on your back. As a joke, I responded by telling him to get on all fours. Then, I placed a saddle on his back, pulled down the stirrups, and climbed aboard. Taking his role rather seriously, he reared up graciously on his hind legs.

Ungraciously, I slid towards the ground.

My first run with Hash took place when I moved back to Durban in 2010, after a 15-year absence. By then, all my old friends had moved on, and my dad had recently passed away. I needed companionship.

Lots of people join Hash, but they don’t always like what they see. We’re a group of (mostly) 45- to 80-year-old adults – entrepreneurs, doctors, pharmacists and retirees – and most have families; and yet, we like silly songs and traditions. We are a confusing array of beer boeps and lean Comrades machines. But while our group may not be for everyone, rituals and traditions, and our acceptance of runners of all shapes and sizes, give us our sense of belonging. One run with my Hash family, and I never felt lonely again.

READ MORE ON: motivation running crews