The expat drinking club with the running problem

“The Hash, as it is called, is essentially a way of meeting new people from all walks of life; there is no other agenda,” says Stuart Adair, one of the event organizers. “Bucharest is like many large cities, it's not always so easy to find like-minded people to socialize with outside of one's own environment, but the Hash allows you to get out, take a little exercise, meet new people and hopefully have a good time.” Members of the group often meet up for drinks and dinner on Wednesday night in different locations around Bucharest. The meetings are very informal and anyone can suggest an activity.
In Romania, the club was set up almost ten years ago but there are many like it across the world, more precisely there are 1,800 Hash House Harriers groups in over 170 countries and meetings across the world. The largest of these is the InterHash which took place last year in Chiang Mai, Thailand and had over 6,000 participants, says Adair.
In Romania, there are at present “between 8 and 25 who turn up each week, not always the same people. Some of our Hash weekends have seen over 80 people,” says Adair. Members can come from all walks of life, from students to secretaries, engineers, consulates and ambassadors. Membership is easy since it does not require any special conditions or rules for joining in.
“You only need a sense of humor. Different people come and go each week. There is no solid commitment required, only a desire to meet people, take a little exercise and enjoy yourself,” says Adair. No fee is required, except for 10 RON (around EUR 3) to cover the drinks or snacks provided during the run or the walk. According to Adair, the group is “all voluntary, profits if any, are used to subsidize Hash T-Shirts or such like.” Occasionally, the Hash organizes or takes part in charity events. Over the last three years, for instance, members have taken part in the DHL relay marathon event in Poiana Brasov.

Otilia Haraga