It
was back in 1938 that expat Albert Gispert, G to his friends, started
an informal running club in Kuala Lumpur. He named it after the hash
house, the nickname that the British community gave the Selangor Club
Chambers, which was renowned for its lackluster food. The founders,
who included “Horse” Thompson and “Torch” Bennett,
shared an enthusiasm for running a hare and hounds paperchase through
the plantations after dark. Together they vowed “to promote physical
fitness among our members: to get rid of week-end 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". These words apply as much
to the pastime now as they did then.
G’s
hashing days were cut short in February 1942, when he was killed defending
Singapore with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. But his idea
lived on and flourished in British communities all over the world.
It is
now 62-years since G’s death and many hashes around the world
will mark the occasion. Here in HK we try to hold an annual celebration
and usually gather in Sai Kung Country Park to toast the eccentric
camaraderie expoused by the Empire builders. A trail is set without
checks similar to those followed in the early days. We also have a
few beers, but rather than follow this with “lacklustre”
food, we generally have a well prepared Indian curry.
