On On to the Hash

Last night I took part in the Dubai Desert Hash. I'd never heard of this before in the UK but apparently there are over 1700 hash clubs worldwide . Effectively, it is a running club with a drinking problem, or a drinking club with a running problem depending on your point of view.

A trail is laid by a 'hare' and you run around in a pack trying to follow it. There are numerous false trails and dead ends to ensure that the faster runners don't get too far ahead from the slower runners. You have to shout 'On On' if you are on the trail to guide the others. Last nights run, which is a stop/start affair, lasted 55 minutes. Afterwards there were a couple of speeches, punishments (beer down in one, sitting on a big block of ice, icy water poured over head - the usual tame rugby club sort of thing), and then a really good Philipino curry. I really enjoyed it and will probably go again. The only worry is what name they'll come up with for me. Most are completely disgusting and I can't reproduce them here, but others are quite funny (one thin guy is known as 9st cowboy).