What Is the Rideau Hash House Harriers in Ottawa and How Do I Join a Run?

Updated

The Rideau Hash House Harriers (RHHH) is a running and social group in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, founded on 26 July 2012 as an offshoot of the Ottawa Hash House Harriers. Runs are held at 7 pm on the second Thursday of every month, regardless of weather, in Ottawa's downtown or central core — roughly the area between the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal. To join a run, check the group's Upcoming Run Schedule for the next date and use the Contact page to reach the mismanagement committee.

What RHHH Is

RHHH follows the global Hash House Harriers tradition, often described as "a drinking club with a running problem." The group's own framing, quoted from the Global Trash Hash Bible, describes hashing as "a state of mind — a friendship of kindred spirits joined together for the sole purpose of reliving their childhood or fraternity days, releasing the tensions of everyday life, and generally, acting a fool amongst others who will not judge you or measure you by anything more than your sense of humor."

Two things distinguish RHHH within Ottawa's hash scene:

  • It is a second regular hash group in the city. The founders decided there was enough participation at the Ottawa Hash House Harriers (OH3) to support another regular group, and after informal discussions the first mismanagement meeting was held on 24 July 2012.
  • Its runs are centrally focused. The theme is to run in the downtown or central core of Ottawa, bounded by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal — hence the name "Rideau."

The first run took place on 26 July 2012 with 18 participants, including one first-time ("virgin") hasher.

When and Where Runs Happen

Detail Information
Frequency Second Thursday of every month
Start time 7 pm
Weather policy Runs happen regardless of weather
Location Downtown or central Ottawa, within the Rideau River–Rideau Canal area
Current schedule Listed on the Upcoming Run Schedule page

Because the exact meeting point can change from run to run, the schedule page is the authoritative source for any given month rather than a fixed address.

How to Join a Run

  1. Check the Upcoming Run Schedule on the RHHH website for the current and future run dates. Confirm the next second-Thursday date and any location details posted there.
  2. Use the Contact page to reach the RHHH mismanagement committee if you have questions about a specific run or are joining for the first time.
  3. Show up at 7 pm on the run date at the posted location. Runs proceed regardless of weather, so plan for the conditions.
  4. Expect the Hash format. New participants are part of the tradition — the inaugural run included a first-timer — and the culture emphasizes humor and socializing over strict performance.

What to Know About the Culture

RHHH describes itself as continuing the Hash tradition of releasing everyday tensions and socializing without judgment. At the same time, the group strongly encourages responsible drinking, which is worth noting given the "drinking club with a running problem" motto associated with Hash House Harriers generally.

If you are looking for a low-pressure, monthly social run in central Ottawa rather than a competitive club, RHHH's format — one evening a month, central routes, all-weather — fits that description. Start with the Upcoming Run Schedule, then make contact through the website before your first run.