Hash runs are NOT A RACE, but a fun SOCIAL EVENT that is OPEN TO ANYONE who wants to party hearty and get exercise at the same time. It involves a couple or runners (the Hares) leaving a trail of flour and chalk that the rest of the people (the pack of Hounds) attempt to follow. The Hares will try to lead the pack astray by leaving intersextions which have Bad/False trails (on backs) and one true trail (On-On). The faster hounds in the pack (FRB's) will investigate each trail and mark the True Trail for the others to follow. The joggers and walkers listen for the horns and whistles of the runners and take shortcuts to keep the pack together. Remember: THERE ARE NO RULES, just traditions. After the run, the hashers have a party at the finish. Soda, beer, water, and food are available after the run for a nominal fee of $4 for Wednesday runs and $3 for Sunday runs that covers it all and gets you credit for the Hash. Recommend a fanny pack for your keys, money and I.D. and also a running bag with a towel and dry clothes.

The OTH4 Experience

I really don't want to tell you everything that we do at the OTH4 hash. Not because it is a super secret society, butt because it needs to be experienced without prior knowledge.

I must provide for you the 4 objectives of the first Hash which was started in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (now Malaysia). This comes from the official charter. The objectives are:
a) To promote physical fitness amongst its members;
b) To get rid of weekend hangovers;
c) To acquire a good thirst and satisfy it in beer;
d) To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel.

With that said, here is how the hash works.

Before you attend one of our hashes, you need to have the following two items, if you do not have these then don't bother. 1) Half a mind; 2) A sense of humor. Do you have these? If so, continue on.

First, you need to find out where the start of the run is. It can be almost anywhere in Virginia from Fredricksburg to Springfield. You can find where the run in one of three ways. First by calling (202)-PUD-JAM0 (that is the number zero not the letter o). Secondly you can get the directions here on our directions page. Lastly, you can get it through eMail by signing up for the Email List.

OK, so now you are at the location of the start, now what?!? Well, the hares should already be there by the time you get there. Who are the hares? These are the crazsy bastards who are about to put you through an hour or so of torture. They are the people who will lay out the trail with puffs of flour and certian chalk marks. When you get to the run, the Religious Advisor will teach you what these marks are. At the right time, whistles will blow and the hares will be off. The countdown begins!!

The rest of the people (the pack) then mill around, begin to drink, until someone (usually the hash master) calls for the pack to circle up for Father Abraham. This is our sorry attempt to stretch out before the run. Then 12 minutes after the Hares leave the start, the pack then starts walking for 3 minutes. After that time, whistles again blow and then the pack can run, following the trail the hares have left.

Each trail is different, so I will not attempt to describe a trail, not even a generic one. Once the entire pack reaches the finish (which, like the start, can be just about anywhere), the violations and other stuff are recorded and Down-Downs are then commenced. A down-down is when someone drinks (a beverage of their choice) for some outrageous (well, everything is relative) conduct. After down-downs, the Hash Master calls for "Hats off, pots on the ground" and then the Hash is concluded with a resounding rendition of Swing Low. And we all pile into our cars and go eat at the On-On-On.

You need to come out and participate in our Hash to find out exactly what all of these things are. Everything needs to be experienced and you will learn everything you need as you go along. Just come on out and have some fun!!!

Here are some other things that happen at our hash. After 6 runs you will be given a hash name, based upon a number of factors you need not concern yourself with (tee...hee...hee...)--along with your first headband. After 25 runs you will get an OTH4 dog tag with your Hash name engraved upon it. Then you will get a new headband (with different colors) after each 25 runs.

Updated 9/23/97 by Nun Knocker and again by Hazukashii on 6/1/01