Mother Hash: A legacy of adventure and camaraderie since 1938

Free Malaysia Today

Did you know that hashing, an international running social club with over 1,000 chapters worldwide, originated in Kuala Lumpur?  Written & presented by: Theevya Ragu Shot by: Tinagaren Ramkumar & Theevya Ragu Edited by: Selven Razz  Read More: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2024/08/11/mother-hash-a-legacy-of-camaraderie-since-1938/  Free Malaysia Today is an independent, bi-lingual news portal with a focus on Malaysian current affairs.    Subscribe to our channel - http://bit.ly/2Qo08ry   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check us out at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com Follow FMT on Facebook: https://bit.ly/49JJoo5 Follow FMT on Dailymotion: https://bit.ly/2WGITHM Follow FMT on X: https://bit.ly/48zARSW  Follow FMT on Instagram: https://bit.ly/48Cq76h Follow FMT on TikTok : https://bit.ly/3uKuQFp Follow FMT Berita on TikTok: https://bit.ly/48vpnQG  Follow FMT Telegram - https://bit.ly/42VyzMX Follow FMT LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/42YytEb Follow FMT Lifestyle on Instagram: https://bit.ly/42WrsUj Follow FMT on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/49GMbxW  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Download FMT News App: Google Play – http://bit.ly/2YSuV46 App Store – https://apple.co/2HNH7gZ Huawei AppGallery - https://bit.ly/2D2OpNP  #FMTLifestyle #MotherHash #HashHouseHarriers

Transcript

00:00The Hutan is really my happy place, right?

00:02And then you enjoy this with so many people from all walks of life.

00:05And what I like about the Hesh is, well, nobody cares what you do.

00:09We all wear the same Hesh t-shirts, a lot of freebies.

00:11So yeah, you could be a lawyer or a retired banker or just...

00:19Never a dull moment on the Hesh.

00:30Ever heard of a Hesh run?

00:46It's not your typical weekend jog.

00:49It's a unique blend of exercise, camaraderie and beers.

00:54Known as Heshing, this international running social club

00:58started 86 years ago right here in Kuala Lumpur.

01:04Mother Hesh or the Hesh House Harriers is the original men's-only Hesh chapter

01:09established in 1938.

01:12Today, it has inspired over a thousand chapters worldwide.

01:17It all began when a group of British colonial officials and expatriates in Malaya

01:23met after work on Friday evenings for runs based on the English public school

01:28paper chase or hare and hound traditions.

01:32The Selangor club chambers where they lived was locally known as the Hesh House.

01:37Alberto Stefano Ignatius Gispert, now regarded as the club's founder,

01:42coined the term Hesh House Harriers.

01:46Apart from keeping fit and making friends,

01:49what truly drew people in was the reward at the end of the run.

01:53A tub of iced beer, a key part of the Heshing culture that has been retained.

01:59Today, Malaysia, the birthplace of this global phenomenon, boasts over 200 Hesh chapters.

02:07Runs take place every day across the country, exploring various hidden trails.

02:13Kanaga Ratnam Kartigesu, an 80-year-old Hesher in Malaysia,

02:18has been part of this tradition for over 50 years.

02:22I think this is one of the best sports I know.

02:26I used to be a sportsman of all kinds of sports.

02:28I used to play all games.

02:30And then once I found the Hesh, I said, that's it.

02:33This is the best club.

02:35Yeah, it makes it unique because there is no prizes.

02:40You come out first or last the same.

02:42You still get the same drink.

02:45So, how does it work?

02:46FMT Lifestyle saw it all in action at a recent memorial run

02:51organized by four chapters at the Hesh House in TTDI to honor a past Hesher.

02:59Typically, one or more Heshers, known as Hares,

03:03lay out a running trail for the rest of the group, the Hounds, to follow.

03:07In this run, flower petals and wood shavings

03:10were used to signify different paths.

03:15The trail may include false trails, shortcuts, and checks,

03:20markings that require the pack to search the area and find the correct route.

03:25While those in the front of the pack figure it out,

03:28it gives the others time to catch up.

03:31Once the run is completed, Heshers are treated to delicious local food,

03:36including hearty soup kambing and other light bites.

03:40Margie Gurusamy, a 59-year-old member of the KL Full Moon Hesh House Harriers Chapter,

03:46shared some insights into this memorial run dedicated to Patsy Yap.

03:51Patsy, I believe she was 82 or 81 years old.

03:58She was also an Iron Lady.

04:01That means she cycles, she swims, and she runs for the longest time.

04:06And what makes Heshing special for Margie?

04:09I think I would call it the spirit of Heshing,

04:12where we all come together regardless of your age, your race, your religion.

04:17You come in here, you are a Hesher.

04:19You don't care whether you've got 5 million bucks in your bank or 5 cents in your bank.

04:23Everybody is equal.

04:25That is what Heshing is all about.

04:27When night finally falls, the infamous circle begins.

04:32Heshers are rewarded with a drink,

04:34while misbehaving Heshers are brought up and punished with a drink, all in good fun.

04:43Erik Blokhuis, who moved from Holland to Malaysia in 2016,

04:47started Heshing in Singapore with Father Hesh, the second Hesh Chapter in the world.

04:53So it's quite comprehensive.

04:55It's not just a running club.

04:57In fact, we call ourselves Heshers.

04:59Globally, we consider ourselves drinkers with a running problem.

05:03So that's a bit of a joke.

05:04But yeah, it's not just about being super fit and sporty.

05:08It's about balance in life.

05:10So if you're debating between fitness and fun, Heshing might be your answer.

05:17Tibia Ragu, FMT Lifestyle.

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