I was a piece of sushi!
By YiR-er Zvia Shwirtz
“For runners with a drinking problem.” That is how the Rome Hash was first explained to me. These runners with a drinking problem, aka Hashers, get together once a month and complete a running trail around Rome, complete with pre-, mid-, and post-run drinking, hurrah!
Hash House Harriers is an international group of non-competitive runners, originating way back in 1938 in Malaysia by British colonial officers and other expatriates. As the Wikipedia page explains, the Hash Runs are intended:
- To promote physical fitness among members
- To get rid of weekend hangovers
- To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer
- To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel
In short, what’s not to love? You get to run around Rome following a pre-made trail designed just for the Hashers, and then you get to toast and drink some beer!
From personal experience (I did the costumed Halloween Hash Run in October), I can guarantee that you will have a good time. If you are not a big runner, don’t fret, because there is also a group of walkers for each Hash Run. (Yea, I walked, so what?!)
The next run is happening this Saturday, November 16th, at 3 PM. The theme of this upcoming Hash Run is “Sadie Hawkins Hash,” girls rule and boys drool! You can get all the info and on the next Hash Run, and RSVP, at the Rome Hash House Harrier website. They also have a Facebook page where you can follow all of their updates.
So get your running shoes on and prepare to run and drink, and drink and run! And as the Hashers always say, “on on!”
