Every Saturday afternoon, a crowd of runners, walkers, students, sailors, expats and Grenadians gathers somewhere on the island to follow a trail of shredded paper through bush, cocoa groves, rivers, villages and hillsides. This is the Grenada Hash House Harriers, founded in 1985 and now one of the best-known social sporting events on the island.
Hashing began in Kuala Lumpur in 1938 and spread worldwide; the Grenada hash has developed its own character, mixing serious trail runners, gentle walkers and families. It is one of the easiest ways for newcomers to see parts of Grenada that never appear in a guidebook and to meet people from every part of island life. Here is what to expect.
How the hash works
Each week a "hare" lays a trail through the countryside, marking it with shredded paper, flour or other markers. The trail starts and finishes at a set location, often a village, estate or bar, which changes every Saturday. The club announces the location in advance through its own channels and local networks.
Participants, called the pack, follow the marks. Trails include deliberate false trails and checks, points where the marks stop and the pack must search in different directions to find the true trail. Hashers who find the trail shout "On-On!" to call the others. This system means faster runners waste time on false trails while slower walkers catch up, so the pack stays roughly together.
Grenada hashes usually offer a shorter walking trail and a longer running trail, so people of different fitness levels can take part. Both can involve steep climbs, mud, river crossings and thick vegetation; this is not a road race.
How long it takes depends on the trail, the terrain and your pace, but most people are out for somewhere between one and two hours. After heavy rain, the same distance can take much longer, as paths turn to slippery mud and rivers rise. Nobody is timed and there are no prizes for finishing first, which is part of the appeal for people who dislike competitive races.
What to wear and bring
The club's own advice is to wear clothes and shoes suitable for a walk or run through the bush. In practice, that means the following.
- Trail shoes or old running shoes with good grip. Expect them to get wet and muddy; many people keep a dedicated pair.
- Light, quick-drying clothes you do not mind ruining. Long socks or leggings help protect against scratches and insects.
- Insect repellent and sunscreen, applied before the start.
- Water, especially in the dry season. Some trails are long and hot.
- A change of clothes, a towel and a plastic bag for muddy shoes, left in the car for after.
- A small amount of cash in case there is a contribution or you want to buy food and drinks afterwards.
- A phone in a waterproof bag, mainly for emergencies; there may be no signal in deep valleys.
Your first hash, step by step
First-timers, known in hash tradition as "virgins", are welcome. The club's guidance is simple: turn up on time at the location of the next hash.
- Find out the week's location from the club's announcements, and plan transport. Many hashes start in rural areas, so share a ride if you can.
- Arrive before the start time, which is in the afternoon; check the exact time in the announcement.
- Introduce yourself as a first-timer. Regulars will explain the trail markings and point out which trail is for walkers and which for runners.
- Listen to the briefing about the trail, any hazards and the finish.
- Set off with the pack, follow the marks, and shout "On-On!" when you are on the trail.
- Stick with others if you are unsure, especially on your first hash. Getting lost alone in Grenada's bush as darkness falls is not fun.
- Return to the finish, change into dry clothes and join the gathering afterwards.
After the trail: the circle and the social side
Hash House Harriers describe themselves, only half-jokingly, as a drinking club with a running problem. After the trail, hashers gather in a circle for announcements, songs and traditions such as the "down-down", where someone drinks a beverage in one go to mark a first hash, a milestone or a minor misdemeanour. Non-alcoholic drinks are fine; nobody should be pressured to drink alcohol.
In Grenada, the finish is often near a local bar or a village where food vendors set up, so the hash also supports small businesses in the communities it passes through. Expect local food, music and conversation that can continue well after dark.
Long-standing members may receive hash names, nicknames awarded after a number of hashes, often referring to an incident on the trail. It is all part of the culture and usually good-humoured.
Families with children are a familiar sight at many hashes, particularly on the walking trail. Parents should judge whether the language and drinking at the circle suit their children, and leave before it gets late if not.
Safety and respect on the trail
Know your limits. Trails can be steep, slippery and long. Walk if you need to, and choose the walking trail on your first hash.
Watch your footing. Roots, rocks, mud and river crossings cause most injuries. Slow down on descents, especially after rain.
Respect private land. Trails often cross farms and estates with permission from owners. Do not pick fruit, damage crops or leave litter.
Mind the light. Hashes start in the afternoon and darkness falls quickly in the tropics, usually between about 6 and 7pm. Do not linger on the trail.
Drink responsibly and get home safely. If you drink at the circle, do not drive. Arrange a designated driver or taxi in advance, as rural areas may have few transport options at night.
Getting to the start and home again
Transport is the biggest practical challenge for visitors. Hash locations change weekly and are often in rural areas, sometimes up narrow roads with limited parking. If you have a car, offer lifts; regulars often share rides from the south coast. Without a car, ask other hashers about lifts, or arrange a taxi there and back, agreeing the fare and a return time in advance.
Route buses run to many villages, but services thin out in the late afternoon and evening, especially on Saturday, so do not rely on catching one home after dark. Students at St George's University often travel in groups, and the hash is a popular weekend outing for them.
Allow plenty of time to reach the start. Finding a rural location for the first time can take longer than expected, and the pack does not wait. Save the directions offline in case mobile signal drops on the way.
Why the hash matters in Grenada
For newcomers, the hash is one of the quickest ways to meet people, from medical students and yacht crews to Grenadian families and long-term residents. Many friendships, business contacts and relationships have started on a muddy trail.
The hash also takes participants into parts of Grenada rarely seen by visitors: cocoa and nutmeg estates, river valleys, village back roads and ridge tops with views over both coasts. For Grenadians, it is a way to explore their own island and to welcome people from elsewhere into community life.
Some special hashes are held around holidays and events, sometimes attracting large crowds. Keep an eye on club announcements if you want to join one of these bigger gatherings.
Above all, the hash is a reminder of how varied Grenada's interior is. Few other activities take hundreds of people each year through the island's back country in such a relaxed and sociable way.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Grenada Hash?
The Grenada Hash House Harriers meet every Saturday afternoon at a different location around the island. The exact start time and place are announced in advance through the club's channels. Arrive on time, as the pack sets off promptly once the briefing is over.
Do you have to be a runner to join the Grenada Hash?
No. Grenada hashes usually offer a shorter walking trail as well as a longer running trail, so walkers, families and casual participants can join. Trails can still be steep and muddy, so a reasonable level of fitness and sturdy footwear are important.
What does a newcomer need to bring to the hash?
Wear clothes and shoes suitable for a walk or run through the bush, and bring water, insect repellent, sunscreen and a change of clothes. A little cash is useful for drinks or food afterwards, and a towel and bag for muddy shoes help.
How long has the Grenada Hash been running?
The Grenada Hash House Harriers were founded in 1985. Hashing itself began in Kuala Lumpur in 1938, and the Grenada club has developed its own character over the decades, mixing runners, walkers, residents and visitors on weekly trails.
Is the Grenada Hash safe for visitors?
Generally yes, as long as you take sensible precautions. Stay with the group, choose the walking trail if unsure, watch your footing, and avoid lingering on the trail near dark. If you drink at the circle afterwards, arrange safe transport home.
