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 2021 are in!
Click Run Stats 2021
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!
Bonding in the Bondu!
Simon Carroll On Pres' Missive #4
As my tenure as On Pres' comes to a close, things are returning to normal, welcome to Missive #4 and hopefully the last Missive of my tenure as the 55th On Pres'.
It's now 'business as usual' on Tuesday's as long as we can present our 'Safepass' at the Chop!
On Sunday 1st August we quietly celebrated our 3000th Run at Hasher's Cove, quite a milestone, and quite possibly we are the first European Hash to hit that target. On, On, towards 4000 Runs!
My first words of thanks must go those Hashers who make the Hash a success year on year; Nogsie for taking your money and ensuring that Jim Burke can provide the ice cold Keo, Aubrey O'Callaghan and Dave Nicholls for maintaining the trash, Run Master Tony Flower for bullying and cajoling the membership to take on an occasional hare or two, and thanks also to Ray Turford for his weekly Sports Report and Salted Nuts. On, On!
As On Pres' it has been very beneficial to have access to the wise counsel and wisdom of 'The Men in Grey Tracksuits', thank you all for your support during my tenure. On, On!
We also remember Hashers Vic Tandy, Doug Clarke, Peter Leach, and Andy Kirby who now rest in peace at the Final RV where the Keo is always served ice cold and the peanuts are salty. On, On!
Whilst some of our Hashers have moved on to pastures new or familiar, we have welcomed some new blood to our membership, including a returning serving member and former On Pres' to help swell our ranks. On, On!
My biggest thanks go to our lovely Harriets who every Tuesday without fail (sometimes even on their Wife's Birthday or Wedding Anniversary) issue their menfolk a leave-pass so that they can exercise, drink Keo, do manly things and bond with their fellow athletes. Ladies, you do us proud. On, On!
Finally I would like to thank all the members of the Hash and our Exiles for your support throughout my time as On Pres', we have managed to keep the Hash engaged and motivated during these interesting times, and I hope we continue to go from strength to strength on Tuesday's! On, On!
Gentlemen Hashers of Episkopi, it has been an honour and a privilege to have been your 55th On Pres'. I hope you will welcome the 56th On Pres' with the same enthusiasm and support that you have extended to me over the last year and a bit.
On, On,
On Pres'