Hash running is not really a sport, but more a social activity. Globally, it dates back to the colonial days in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in 1938, where a group of men where concerned about their health from their sedentary lifestyle and decided to offset its effects by exercising. One member of the group would head out and lay a trail made of paper or flower or chalk marks, and a little later the others would give chase, following the trail. The trail layer, known as a hare would deliberately set check points and false trails to put off the chasing pack, known as hounds. An average run would take about 45 minutes and cover 6-8 kilometers. The whole activity is akin to the way dogs would chase rabbits in the manors of the English countryside in the hunt. A horn is used by a known front runner to identify when the correct trail is found and a set of cow bells for slower runners at the back. When the correct trail is found the cry of "On on" can be heard from the pack. AT the end, the ritual of the circle is conducted during which time sinners and dogooders alike are honoured for their contribution and awarded a "down down", the ganbei drinking of a beer.

In modern times, worldwide, there are now over 4000 clubs known as kennels in major cities of most countries. Each year there are area events in regional and continental centers and a world event once every 2 years, similar to the Olympics. As mentioned before, running is only part of the event and the drinking of beer and certain other rituals thereafter are equally if not more important as a social element to reward the participants after the exertion of the running.

The Chengdu Panda Hash House Harriers was started by Alan Brooks in 1996. Today the average pack consists of around 40-60 participants, mainly local Chinese people and a few foreigners. Events are every second week, usually commencing with a bus ride to the run site, leaving the Yinhe Dynasty Hotel at 2pm and Orchard Villas on Ren Min Lu in the south at 2.30pm. Anyone and everyone is welcome regardless of age, sex, origin, or athletic ability. Occasionally there are special events including more elaborate entertainment programmes. More information is available from our website.

info@pandahash.com