No, not an illicit substance from Morocco, Hashing is a bizarre ritual involving beer and running.
In looking around for activities in London, I turned to something I’ve done a few times before, back in the States and Barcelona. Hashing is a world-wide sport, where runners meet at a pub, have a few pints, run 4-5 miles following pre-laid trails of chaulk and flour, and return to the pub where they drink further and sing songs. They describe themselves as a drinking group with a running problem.
On my first night at London Hash, I huffed and puffed my way through the course, being out of shape, and arrived back at the pub where we all chatted for a while before heading out for Down-Downs. My knee brace was hurting, and I made the mistake of taking off my brace and right sneaker just as they called up all that weeks visitors (which included me). Little did I know that runners with new sneakers (and mine were still new-ish) had to christen their new sneakers.
I expected my obligation would end at a pint of beer, but no. That wasn’t the case. First, the beer is poured into my sneaker (note my facial expression):
And then I enjoy the beer . . .
After a soggy ride home on the tube, my sneakers were washed and dried. It was a good experience, but I think I prefer drinking out of glasses.
You got off easy Stony. In Beijing we’d have you filter the beer with your sock to ensure the flavor from your sneaker is properly infused.
On on,
“Burning Bush”