This is something we joke about on a regular basis but is something that is just a fact: We simply don't have a very youthful environment here at the Hash House Harriers and this isn't just our issue, it is basically global. It isn't because we are lame or because we don't allow younger people, the reality of the situation is that most of us are retired and younger people have to work.
We see this as a point of pride rather than something to be ashamed of and we also look around at other people "our age" and realize that this socializing and getting a bit of exercise is really good for all of us who otherwise might just be sitting at a pub.
Most of us have been in the Hash for quite some time and most of us were introduced to the Hash by someone that is actually older than we are. Very few Hashers are brought to the game by someone that is younger than them. Honestly, I don't think that has ever happened.
We don't have an issue with our ages and if you were to hang out with us or any other Hash group for that matter, you would experience that this group of mostly retired folks are actually in pretty incredible shape considering our "advanced" ages.
The women bring what at first appears to be some "much needed youth" to our ranks but that is just because they are Asian and therefore look 20 years younger than they actually are. Don't tell them I told you this, but most of them are in at least their late 40's and early 50's.
If you are not a part of a Hash though, I challenge you to look around your life and find a group of people with an average age of 55 where the people in the group go out in the woods and run a 5-7km run 3 times a week. There aren't very many groups that can boast this now, is there?
At times we do kind of worry about replenishing our ranks as the years go on because as sad as it is it is just a fact of life that several of the members of the Hash that I am a part of have passed on in life during the time I have been here. I look at it as they were happy right up to the last time I saw them, and even though some of them were so old they couldn't do the entire trails anymore, they were out there and trying to do them, every week without fail.
I think that this is really good for people as they are older. I mean, nobody out there is going to expect people to turn up and run this thing as if there were prizes at the end - nobody is pressuring anyone to keep up and if someone needs to turn back, that is perfectly expected.
I believe that it is very important for people to socialize, to get out and get some fresh air, and also to get their heart rate up a bit. Oh and having some beer afterwards is probably something your doctor would advise against but that is a fun part of it as well.
I wouldn't say that the Hash is a great place to come and meet the love of your life though, most of the people are already taken :)
young people need not be intimidated by this though, we do have weekend runs for a reason and sometimes the younger folks come and join us during those even though most of them are the children of our adult members. It's fun for everyone of all ages and we do not discriminate against anyone.
I think the main reason why we don't have many young people is because our event pick up time is at 4pm and if you have a job, this can be a bit difficult to explain to your boss about why you are leaving work early to go frolic in the woods and drink beer. I don't think that is a company policy at many places although if I owned a company, it certainly would be an option.
NO matter your age or even your fitness level, the Hash will welcome you globally. I've never met a better group of people doing anything else and getting to be a part of this group has changed my life for the better. It will do the same for you if you just give it a chance. We do 3 runs a week, every week, and you are welcome to come and join us any time you want. Here is our schedule.
On On!
