Sunday, March 16, was the inaugural Hash of the St. John Hash House Harriers, self described as a "drinking club with a running problem," part of a loosely knit worldwide social club.

Peter

This initial event, organized by Joe "Motorcock" Van Dyke, was attended by seven intrepid souls including Peter Alter of 8 Tuff Miles fame.

The theme is a lighthearted, irreverent spin on the game "Hare and Hounds, accompanied by lots of beer drinking (although teetotalers like myself are warmly welcomed, not ostracized and provided with water)

Joe "Motorcock" Van Dyke

Our leader, Joe or "Motorcock," his hash name, (you can only get a hash name by attending five hashes) was the hare. After an explanation of the game, he ran off taking advantage of a fifteen-minute lead and disappeared into the bush leaving a trail marked by handfuls of flour. Different patterns indicated, trails, both true and false, check points, dead ends and beer checks, where refreshments were to be enjoyed by his pursuers, the hounds (the rest of the gang).

We ran up narrow guts, along roadsides, on well-known and not so well known trails and through the bush chasing the elusive hare, stopping only to drink beer (and water) at the beer checks and socialize a bit before resuming the pursuit of our quarry

Peter and I have been on this island a long time and both like to hike around and explore, but we both had to admit that newcomer Motorcock led us to areas right around Cruz Bay we had never been to, like under a bridge below the north shore road and a rabbit-warren of trails passing by hastily thrown together shanties and campsites.

Motorcock was waiting for us back where we started, barely out of breath. Then he led us in a series of bawdy songs and other impertinent, saucy Hash House Harrier ceremonies. Then for most - on to the pub...

For more information about the Hash House Harriers visit their website