Welcome to Episkopi Hash House Harriers
The Episkopi Hash is one of the last gentlemen only hashes left in the world. Why gentlemen only? Well, initially when founded in 1967 by three military types from Episkopi base that was the norm for hashes. Now most of our members are of retirement age and are driven out of the house each Tuesday to give our Harriets time to themselves. How many marriages we have saved is incalculable !!
We are these days very much an informal group of mates who meet every Tuesday afternoon for a little exercise and socialising afterwards. We are, of course, always eager to meet new mates who fancy a bit of exercise. We run, jog or walk in the beautiful Cyprus countryside for around 5 km. Following a pre-laid route, known as a trail, and this is designed for most levels of fitness – shortcutting is allowed and indeed encouraged by the hares who control the run.
The run or walk takes about 45 mins. In the summer and an hour in the winter but is rarely on flat terrain as we avoid like the plague, any tarmac or built up areas.
Hashing as it is known began in the 1930’s amongst ex-pats in the Far East who decided that they needed to take some exercise and so began the phenomenon which grew into 3000 clubs worldwide. Essentially it is a paper chase and you might have done one at school or seen it like me in "The Railway Children". However to make it non-competitive and ensure that it caters for most levels of fitness hares go out the day before the hash and lay 2 trails one for the runners, joggers and plodders and one for the walkers. Then the participants (hounds) follow one of these trails, with guidance (shortcuts) being given as required by the hares.
The whole emphasis of a Hash is to exercise in an informal way without any competitive pressures and then to relax afterwards with mates over a nice cool beer or soft drink. After a suitable time of taking refreshments at the end of the run/walk we always go to a taverna for a local meal to round off the day. Being such a social club, we throughout the year, have a range of events that include our Better Halves be they on the beach (we know many deserted ones) or up in the hills. These events are either catered or we bring picnics.
The Annual Run Stats for 2019 are in!
Click Link
Hash Words does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the Stats unless written on the back of a €20 note!!!
Summer Runs with the Hash!
The Hash Boat Trip!
Simon Carroll On Pres' Missive No 3
After thirty Tuesday's worth of missed Hashing due to the pandemic, things are starting to return to normal, welcome to Missive #3 of my tenure as the 55th On Pres'.
From March last year the Hash conducted 38 Virtual Runs during Lockdown, 4 Hares accounted for the preparation, laying and videoing of 31 of these. So a big thank you to Jim Burke, Mike Jones, Aubrey O'Callaghan; Honourable Mentions go to Dave 'Doc' Smith, Mike Woods, Mike Blocki, Trevor Kemp, and Rob Price for their contributions. Finally a big thank you to those Hashers and Exiles who joined our Zoom Meetings on a Tuesday afternoon to keep things going during Lockdown.
In recent weeks we have said Bon Voyage to three Ex On Pres's, Mike Jones, Drew Muir, and Jimmy Carroll who returned to the UK; as On Pres' it has been very beneficial to have access to the wisdom of 'The Men in Grey Tracksuits'. Not forgetting the support their Harriets, Geraldine, Maggie, and Heather have given to the Hash over the years. On, On, and thank you all for your support and wise counsel.
We also remember Commander Neil 'Nobby' Hall RN, or 'Nobby the Bobby' who sadly lost his long fight with cancer in April. His contribution to the Hash and his Magnificent Trafalgar Runs will not be forgotten.
Our Official 3000th Run will be on Tuesday 3rd August; with tourism and travel still restricted I still don't know when we can reschedule the 3000th Celebration Weekend?
Hash Cash will be organising the Hash Boat Trip to Latchi on the MV Koulla for Friday 16th July. Details soon.
Finally I would like to thank the Hash and Exiles for all the support, we have managed to keep the Hash engaged and motivated during this difficult time, and it has been good to see the response on our return to 'Normal' Hash Tuesday's!
On, On,
On Pres'