A Brief History of the MijasH3
Mijas Hash House Harriers was formed in 1989 when “Flakey” returned to Spain after working in for many years in Thailand and hashing with his beloved home Hash: Pattaya Hash House Harriers (www.PattayaH3.com). After spending a weekend away in Tarifa and during the drive home he passed Sotogrande, where upon he spotted a H-H-H sign on the side of the road!!! a quick U-turn and a short drive down a dirt road he came across the Guadiaro H3 enjoying a post run BBQ, excitedly “Flakey” enquired about their runs and how to join up with the group.
Over the next few weeks saw the evolution of what we now call Mijas Hash House Harriers, knowing he had the support of Guadiaro H3 all what was needed was a few Mijas locals to join him in getting the inaugural run underway. “Flakey” then posted an add in the “Sur in English” the local free newspaper for people to help get the “Mijas Hash” up and running!!! Once he had “weeded” out all the drug related inquiries, of which way outnumbered the genuine interest in what he wanted, two Expats came forward Ray Ward “El Pulpo” and Brendan Murphy “Rat up a drain Pipe” both had Hashed in Asia and the UK, this was it!!
“El Pulpo” arranged a meeting place and a restaurant for the inaugural run, this was to be at Lew Hoads tennis club, “Flakey” and his then partner “Vivacious Viv” Sponsored the Run No1 tee shirt. Monday 8th May 1989 was the big day, the run started at 19.00 hrs (Runs where always on a Monday evening). Eleven people were recorded on the first run with a fee of 300 ptas, for this you got a commemorative tee shirt and beer! The run was a great success unfortunately the On - On meal turned into a small disaster with “El Pulpo” chundering into the pool and master of music “Rat up a drain pipes” hash songs did not go down to well with the owner and other clientele, we all had a fantastic night which was the main thing, but as it turned out in the initial years, we were told in no uncertain terms not to return to their establishment. This trend did stick with the hash for the first few years, but now adays we have matured a little.
Now you know how it all started on the Cost Del Sol.
Note: Mijas H3 have are recorded on the “Historic Hash Family Tree” the time line can be viewed in the “Selangor club house” in Kaula Lumpa, Malaysia the home of the Mother hash.
Mijas H3 can be traced back to the Mother Hash roots --------
Mother Hash 1938. www.motherhash.com
Bangkok Hash 1977. www.bangkokhashhouse
Pattaya Hash 1984. www.pattayah3.com
Mijas Hash 1989. www.mijash3.com
When you go hashing it is basically made up of 4 stages:
1) The Grand Master “GM” welcomes everyone to this week’s run, introduces new runners (Virgins) any visiting hashers to the pack and brings in the “Hares” that have spent a considerable time discovering a cunning trail for you to follow. A Hash group photo is taken for prosperity and with “ON ON” called, the pack head off into the campo.
2) The Hash run. You will be following a flour trail, set by the Hares, which usually takes 2 hours (With a drink stop) the trail markings can be seen below under the banner: “Mijas H3 run markings”
3) The “Circle” this is where we discuss the merits of the Hares and how good or bad was the trail that they had just set?. We have a RA (Religious Advisor) who will cleanse any hashers that have made any misdemeanours on the run or during the week.
4) On-On Meal: This can be “On Site” in the way of pick-nick, BBQ or the Hares provide food “Home cooked “usually at a Hares house (Always popular) or as the norm in a local restaurant or Venta, were you will get a set meal and half a bottle of wine for around 12 to 15 euro.
What types of Hash clubs are out there?
Hashing started out as a male dominate event and, in many places, in many of these old clubs are going still going strong (www.motherash.com). But as Hashing became more popular women (Harriet’s) joined in and “mixed” hashers were formed, the word “mixed” is now not used, we are ALL under the one banner of “Hash Kennels”.
We now have Bicycle Hashes, Dog Hashes, Full moon Hashes and a few bizarre ones!!!
Once a year is the infamous “Red Dress Run” generally a charity run when ALL attendees turn out in red dresses man as well some men slightly over do the ladies attire but all good fun.
Mijas H3 have just passed the landmark of 30 years of Hashing, which is an amazing achievement and taken a lot of effort to keep it all going, we have been very lucky with some dedicated people, long may it continue.
Mijas H3 is a great way to see the Andalucia country side, meet new people and a great way to travel as there is basically a Hash club in ever county around the world. All you need is a good pair of running/hiking shoes, be a little adventurous, a good sense of humour and most of all enjoy a drink!
Mijas H3 Run Markings:
Mijas H3 run on standard hash markings as used in Asia, we keep it simple, and avoid trying to outdo the Egyptians with obscure hieroglyphic markings!! The trail is set by the “Hares” whom will have searched the local area to find new interesting trails with hopefully be no tarmac, rivers, tunnels, “shiggy” (muddy trails) views that bring out the best of the Andalucia country side.
The trail is set on BLOBBS of flour or a “BLOBBER” (with directional arrows) the spacing of the flour should not be far apart.
On the trail you will come across a “CHECK” this is marked as a cross in flour (A good run should have a least 12 checks), the trail will then stop, and recommence approximately 100 metres from the check, the trail will be within 360 deg of the check. Note; if you have broken the check, and found the correct trail please rub out the incorrect trails on the check. Checks should keep the pack together, please wait if the pack gets spaced out, or ensure the back runners know the direction of the true trail before running on. Check standing is a sin and the RA will deal with offenders in the circle.
You may come across a “SPLIT TRAIL” with arrow’s pointing in two or even three ways one will be the right trail, if you come to a “F” in flour you have been affectionately known as a “you have been fucked” go back and look for the true trail.
All “FALSE TRAILS” will normally be marked with an “F” in flour, when you come to a “F” in lour go back along the trail (Sorry I missed the F in flour --- A hash joke).
You may come to a BC in flour on the trail, this is a “Back Check” you will need to go back down the trail and find the right trail, it is usually easy to find, look for obvious trails, we don’t use numbers (Hashers can`t count), if hares use numbers it is an “Ice-able” offence!
A single flour arrow will indicate you are one the write trail and going in the right direction, sometime used over areas where trail marking is difficult to see.
When you come to a “BS” that means you are approaching the beer stop!!! Please rehydrate with the amber nectar supplied.
“ON IN” in flour, means you have completed the run, and heading in to Beer.
A normal run will take about 2 hours including a beer stop.
Don’t turn up for a run in NEW shoes!!
Important: You should keep shouting “ON ON” when you see flour on the trail to keep the slow bastards with you. If you are not on flour you are not on the run! Always go back to find flour, if you get lost stay on trial (Preferably wait at a check) somebody will come and find you.
What else will I expect?
People attending the hash run are called “Hashers and Harriet’s” male and female, the hash is organised and run by the Grand master “GM” and assisted in the circle with the Religious Advisor ”RA” whom will cleanse people of sins they may or may not have committed on the run, these two people “Are always right” and not to be messed with.
Normal names are not used in the hashing world, and you will take on a synonym name usual awarded after completing a number of runs, it is usually associated with something puerile you may have done on a run or your private life, this new name will stay with you for as long as you go hashing, some names can be quite embarrassing when called out in the local supermarket or at a meeting with “Normal” people, any new members on the hash are called “Virgins” until initiated into the hash! The naming of a virgin hashers will be undertaken by the RA in a “Beer and Flour” naming ceremony. All hashers are encouraged to attend runs and On On meals in Hash attire which is available at that Hash Haberdashery at very reasonable price.
Hash naming ceremony.
The run
Down - Down drink
We are looking forward to welcoming you @ Mijas HHH