Every Saturday afternoon, a crowd of Grenadians, expatriates, students, yachties and visitors gathers outside a bar somewhere on the island, laces up muddy shoes and sets off along a trail marked with shredded paper, through cocoa fields, river valleys, rainforest and village back lanes. A couple of hours later they are back at the same bar, wet, scratched and cheerful, eating, drinking and singing. This is the Grenada Hash, and for many residents it is the single best way to see the island's interior and meet people from every walk of life.
Hashing began in Malaysia in the 1930s and spread worldwide, describing itself as a drinking club with a running problem. The Grenada Hash House Harriers have been meeting weekly since the 1980s and have become something of an institution, with Grenadians and foreigners in roughly equal measure. This guide explains how it works, how to find the start, what to bring and what to expect afterwards.
How a hash works
Each week, a member or small group, known as the hares, chooses an area and lays a trail in advance, marking it with paper or other markers through a route that may cross farmland, forest, rivers, steep hillsides and villages. The route changes every week, so over months you cover large parts of the island, including places few residents ever see.
On the day, participants meet at the start, usually a rum shop or bar, in the mid-afternoon. There is normally a choice of trails: a shorter walk for those who want a steady hike, and a longer run, often over tougher ground. False trails and checkpoints are part of the game, sending front-runners down dead ends so the group stays roughly together.
Afterwards, everyone gathers back at the bar for drinks, food and the circle, a ritual in which first-timers, people with new shoes, those who took shortcuts and others are called up for a down-down, a drink taken in front of the group to songs and jeers. Nobody is required to drink alcohol; water or a soft drink is accepted.
Finding the start each week
Location changes every Saturday. The start is announced during the week, mainly through the club's social media pages and messaging groups, and by word of mouth among regulars.
Timing. Hashes usually start in the mid to late afternoon. Start times have varied over the years, so check the current week's announcement rather than relying on an old guidebook.
Directions. Announcements typically give the village and the bar. If you do not know the area, ask for landmarks, leave early and allow for slow roads.
Transport. Many people carpool, and regulars often offer lifts to newcomers. Some starts are hard to reach by route bus, particularly for the return after dark.
A small contribution. A modest fee is usually collected to cover costs such as drinks at the finish and the club's running expenses. Bring EC cash; the amount is announced or easy to ask about.
What to wear and bring
Hash trails are muddy, steep and wet far more often than they are dry and gentle. Experienced hashers bring:
- Shoes with real grip that you do not mind ruining. Old trail shoes are ideal; smooth-soled trainers are a recipe for falls.
- Light, quick-drying clothes you are happy to get muddy, and possibly long trousers or leggings for overgrown trails.
- Water, at least a small bottle, more in dry season.
- A complete change of clothes and a towel left in the car for the finish.
- A torch or headlamp, because slower walkers may finish close to dusk, especially in winter months.
- Insect repellent, sunscreen and a hat for exposed stretches.
- Cash for the contribution, food and extra drinks.
- A plastic bag for wet, muddy clothes and shoes.
Why residents love it
Seeing the real interior. Trails pass through cocoa and nutmeg groves, river gorges, hilltop villages and forest that you would not find on your own.
Meeting everyone. Students, civil servants, doctors, farmers, sailors and retirees mix freely. For newcomers, it is one of the quickest routes to a social circle.
Regular exercise. A weekly hash keeps you fit on terrain far more varied than a treadmill or road run.
Supporting local bars. Each finish brings a crowd to a village rum shop or bar, often in areas visitors rarely reach.
Local knowledge. Regulars are a mine of information about the island, from good mechanics and reliable tradespeople to quiet beaches and which roads have washed out.
Low cost. Compared with gym memberships or guided tours, a weekly hash costs little beyond the contribution, food and transport.
Common mistakes
Underestimating the terrain. Even the walk can involve steep, slippery climbs and river crossings. If you have knee or balance problems, start with the walk and stay near experienced hashers.
Arriving late. Hashes start more or less on time, and catching up on an unfamiliar trail is hard.
Going off alone. Stay with others, especially if you are slower. If you lose the trail, call out; hashers use a shout of "on on" to signal they are on trail.
Ignoring the weather. In rainy season, trails turn to deep mud, known as shiggy, and rivers can rise. Organisers adapt, but you should also judge your own limits.
Leaving without a lift home. Sort transport before the circle begins; finishes can run late.
Drinking and driving. Hash culture involves drinking at the finish. Arrange a designated driver or a taxi.
The social side and the circle
The circle at the end can be loud, irreverent and full of in-jokes, and first-timers are often singled out for a welcoming down-down. It is all good-humoured, and most newcomers enjoy it, but if you would rather not take part, a smile and a soft drink are perfectly acceptable. Regulars who keep coming eventually receive a hash name, usually affectionate and often based on an incident on trail.
Food is a big part of the finish: the hosting bar typically sells local dishes such as barbecue chicken, fish, oil down or pelau, and the crowd stays on as the evening turns into a lime. For many members, the hash is the anchor of their social week, and friendships formed on muddy trails can last for years.
Families are welcome on many hashes, especially on shorter walks, and children who enjoy mud and streams often love it. Ask regulars which trails are suitable before bringing young children.
Dogs often follow hashes too, either brought by owners or picked up along the way from villages, and they add to the cheerful chaos. Keep your own dog on a lead near livestock and roads.
Your first hash, step by step
On your first Saturday, arrive at the start a little before the stated time, introduce yourself to whoever seems to be collecting money or organising, and say it is your first hash. Regulars will usually explain the markings, which trail is which and how the checkpoints work. Choose the walk if you are unsure; you can always try the run another week.
Once the group sets off, it spreads out quickly. Stay within sight or earshot of others, follow the paper, and if you reach a point where the trail seems to vanish, wait for others or look for the next marker in a circle around you. Falling back is fine: hashes usually have someone sweeping at the rear to make sure nobody is left behind.
Back at the bar, change into dry clothes before the circle starts, buy some food, and expect to be called up as a newcomer. After a few weeks you will know half the faces, and someone will probably have offered you a lift, a contact or an invitation to something else.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Grenada Hash?
The Grenada Hash House Harriers is a social walking and running club that meets every Saturday afternoon. A trail marked by volunteers leads through a different part of the island each week, starting and ending at a local bar, where participants gather for food, drinks and a light-hearted ritual known as the circle.
Do you have to be fit to join the Grenada Hash?
No. There is usually a walk option alongside the run, and people of many ages and fitness levels take part. Trails can still be steep and muddy, so reasonable mobility, good shoes and a willingness to get dirty are needed.
How do you find out where the hash is each week?
The location is announced during the week, mainly through the club's social media pages and messaging groups. Regulars also pass it on by word of mouth. Starts are usually at a bar or rum shop, identified by village name and landmarks.
Do you have to drink alcohol at the hash?
No. Drinking is part of the tradition, especially in the circle at the end, but water or soft drinks are accepted, and many participants do not drink alcohol. Arrange a designated driver or taxi if you do drink.
Is the Grenada Hash suitable for children?
Many families bring children, particularly on shorter walking trails. Trails can involve steep slopes, mud and stream crossings, so ask regulars which weeks are suitable, and keep young children close, with water, snacks and a change of clothes.
