[Montreal Gazette, May 18, 2000]

Group holding out a roast pig to tempt prospective hashers

    The Hash House Harriers, a running club where humour is more important than athleticism, will hold a hash -- a human re-creation of an old fox-and-hounds-style chase -- and pig roast in Saint-Lazare Saturday.
    "Hashers are not expected to be marathon runners -- the ability to run or walk a 6-to-8-kilometre course without falling over in exhaustion is a suitable level of ability for our hashes," Ian Hepher, who founded the Montreal chapter of the Hash House Harriers, said in a statement.
    The hash consists of one member of the club -- called a hare -- setting up a course and marking it with flour or chalk.  The harriers later try to follow the trail to the final destination, where the Down-Down and On-On take place -- that is, refreshments are served along with a good time.
    Hepher said prospective hashers are welcome to give the sport a try.
    The Montreal chapter has more than 200 hashing associates and 20 to 30 members of the group take part in typical Sunday hashes held in various areas of Montreal and thereabouts throughout the year.
    Other hashes are slated for June 4, July 9 and on July 16, when an Oka-to-Hudson hash will be held.
    The group also holds an annual Red Dress Charity Run for the Royal Victoria Cedars Cancer Institute.
    For more information, call (514) 695-1137 or (514) 489-0866.  The group's Web site is www.geocities.com/montrealhhh and the E-mail address is [email protected].