How does a Hash run work for first-timers at Mauritius Hash House Harriers?

Updated

A Hash run is a social run, jog, or walk where a "hare" lays a trail and everyone else ("hounds") follows it, ending with drinks and socialising. At Mauritius Hash House Harriers (mhash.com), the main run happens every two weeks at 10am, and all levels are welcome — no experience needed. You just show up, follow the trail at your own pace, and join the social afterwards. The site describes the club as "a drinking club with a running problem," so expect the social side to be as important as the running.

The basic "hounds and hares" format

The core idea comes from the World Harrier Organization, which the site quotes as "a friendship of kindred spirits joined together for a bit of hounds and hares sport... releasing the tensions of everyday life, and generally acting a fool amongst others who will not judge you."

In practice:

  • The hare (or hares) sets off first and lays a trail for everyone else to follow.
  • The hounds (that's you, as a first-timer) follow the trail. Because the trail is laid to be found rather than simply followed, you may hit checkpoints or false trails where you have to work out the right way — this is part of the fun and keeps faster and slower runners together.
  • "ON ON" is the call that means the trail continues and you should keep going. You'll hear it shouted along the route; it's the basic signal that you're on the right track.

You don't need to memorise any of this before you arrive. First-timers are common, and the format is self-explanatory once you're in the group.

When and where it happens

The site states the club meets every two weeks at 10am for fun runs and socials. That's the regular Hash Run — the site references "Hash Run 967" as the upcoming one and "Hash Trash 965" as the write-up of the last one, so runs are numbered and there's a running record of what happened.

There is also a Sunset Hash, which the site says "happens very rarely now" but is kept on record in case it restarts. When it does run:

  • It's usually on a Saturday at 4pm.
  • You walk (or run) for about an hour.
  • You enjoy a drink, and sometimes head to a restaurant for a meal — all at sunset.

For the regular 10am run, check the site for the specific meeting point for the upcoming run, since Hash locations typically change each time.

What to bring and what to expect

The site gives one clear practical instruction: for the Sunset Hash, "feel free to bring a 6-pack of your favorite drink to add to the fun." That gives you a sense of the culture — bringing something to share is welcome, though the site doesn't state it as a requirement for the regular run.

For a first run, the sensible approach:

  • Wear running or walking gear suitable for the terrain and Mauritius heat at 10am.
  • Bring water for the run itself.
  • Bring a drink to share if you want to fit straight into the social side — the club's own tagline is "a drinking club with a running problem."
  • No need to be fast. The site explicitly says "everyone is welcome" and "all levels welcome," and the hounds-and-hares format is designed so the group stays roughly together.

The site does not mention a fee, membership requirement, or need to register in advance. It also doesn't state that you must contact anyone before attending. If you want certainty on the meeting point for a specific run, the site is the place to check before you go.

After the run

The run is followed by a social — drinks and conversation. The site's framing makes clear this isn't an afterthought: the club describes itself first as a drinking club. The "Hash Trash" write-ups (like Hash Trash 965) are the informal record of what happened, which tells you the social and the run are treated as one event.

If you're not in Mauritius, the site points to two ways to find a Hash near you: the Global Hash Site, or the "Hash in Africa" guide put together by a hasher known as "Hot Pants" Rey.

The short version for a first-timer

Turn up at the advertised 10am meeting point on a run day, follow the trail with the group, respond to "ON ON" by keeping going, and stay for the drinks afterwards. Bring water, wear something you can run or walk in, and optionally bring a drink to share. No experience, no speed requirement, and no judgement — that's the point of a Hash.