Everyone knows that eating and running go together. But drinking and running —- maybe not so much.

I recently visited the wacky world of the Hash House Harriers, “A Drinking Club with a Running Problem.”

Hash House Harriers is one of the largest, and certainly most unique, running clubs in the world. Founded in 1938 by British colonials in Kuala Lumpur and based on a cross country running game called Hares and Hounds, the club remained an obscure and eccentric subculture until the 1960s. That’s when it became a much more popular, but still eccentric subculture of the running community.

There are now 1,973 official hash groups, called kennels, in 185 countries worldwide. The Pittsburgh H3 boasts more than 80 active members. Although kennels vary somewhat in size, demographics and details of events, the purpose is the same worldwide —- to have fun outdoors, socialize, and of course, drink beer.

The weekly Pittsburgh hash this past Monday was a tour of the finer and not so fine parts of Pittsburgh’s Friendship and Garfield neighborhoods. Although a newcomer, I was immediately welcomed into the group by hashers like Purple Princess, a hulking guy sporting purple knee socks and Isis, a middle-aged woman wearing the suggested denim theme over her running clothes. (Hashers are assigned silly or bawdy nicknames based on embarrassing behavior or quirky personality traits.)

Following a short pre-event socializing, the group of runners and walkers —- the hounds — hit the streets to locate and follow a trail of flour laid previously by the hosts of the evening’s hash —- the hares.

After an initial chaotic wandering, someone found the route and shouted the familiar hasher call, “On,on!” Runners and walkers scurried from the side streets to follow the leader.

The group snaked through neighborhood streets, occasionally stopping to check the route or doubling back on a false trail. One hasher sounded a bugle. Dogs barked as we passed backyards and neighbors called from balconies, curious about the strange parade of characters running and walking down their streets.

Then the front runners who had galloped ahead were suddenly halted by the letters BH, signaling a beer stop, in flour on the sidewalk. This allowed the stragglers to catch up for a drink, a snack and more social time.

Gallon jugs of beer circulated among the pack along with a steady hum of conversation. Then, as if directed by a silent force, a few runners began moving again in the direction of the next flour dot with the pack snaking out behind.

The hares had routed the next section along hidden alleys and overgrown trails of Garfield. We climbed crumbling concrete stairways that led through brush, brambles and poison ivy —- “shiggy” in hasher terms.

Once we arrived at our destination, the hares had not only laid the course ,but had prepared food for hungry hashers. We crammed into a local bar to celebrate the closing rituals of the hash.

The pack, energized by the run and the refreshments, raucously celebrated the experience by singing several rounds of bawdy drinking songs which all but the newbies knew by heart.

Then the master of ceremonies for the event, a club officer with the title of Religious Advisor, led the group in the “Down-downs” which honor everyone and everything —- the hares, the course, new hashers, visitors from other kennels, designated drivers, and on and on.

When I left the hash, most of the pack were still socializing in the hasher tradition —- partying like it’s 1938 in Kuala Lumpur.

If you’re interested in or just curious about the Hash House Harriers of Pittsburgh, visit their website at www.pgh-h3.com.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Roebling’s 5KRun, Saxonburg. Benefits Knoch track and cross country teams. 724-898-2525 or mlkletzli@embarqmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Rimersburg Cookie Daze 5K, Rimersburg. 814-473-6427

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Baptist Bash 5K, Ford City. 724-859-6316

August 13, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5K Run, St. Marys. 814-776-1528 or w_feman@hotmail.com

Sunday, 6 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7K, Dilltown. First half rolling, second half on level Ghost Town Trail. 724-479-0769 or tpajak@ffic.com

Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Courtney’s Ice Cream Race 5K, Grove City. Also half mile kids’ run and post race ice cream buffet. 724- or smc@runhigh.com

Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m.: Jaime Rossellini Memorial 5K Race/ Walk, Butler. Run on Butler County Community College campus, cash prizes. 724-431-6421

Aug. 20, 8 a.m.: Parkersburg New and Sentinel Half Marathon and 2 Mile Race, Parkersburg, WV. Cash prizes, No day of event registration. www.Newsandsentinelhalfmarathon.com

Aug. 20, 8:30 a.m.: Cranberry Township 5K, Cranberry Township. Run two gravel loops in North Boundary Park. 724-774-5746 or jkercovich@yahoo.com

Aug. 20, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township 10K Race and 2 Mile Fun Run, Sarver. Out and back course on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. tjt@salsgiver.com

Aug. 20, 1 p.m.: Run for Hunger Trail Challenge, Sarver. Choice of half marathon, 4 mile trail race or 2 mile scenic hike. All kids ages 14 and under run for free. Register online at www.runrace.net or more information at runforhunger@gmail.com

Aug. 21, 7 a.m.: Drake Well Marathon and Half Marathon, Titusville. 814-827-3741 or jbeechey@zoominternet.net

Aug. 23, 7 p.m.: Quality Life Series 5K #4, Mercer. Run starts at Countryside of Mercer. www.qualitylifeservices.com

Aug. 27, 6:30 a.m.: Baker Trail UltraChallenge, Cook Forest. Choice of 50 mile ultramarathon or relay of up to 5 members. 412-512-4544 or ultrachallenge@rachelcarsontrails.org

Aug. 27, 8 a.m.: Mosquito Run to Fight Malaria, North Park. Choice of 5 miles, 10 miles or 5K around North Park Lake. 724-776-2300, ext. 249 or Sandra.matoushaya@wpaumc.org

Sept. 3, 9 a.m.: Adams Area Fire District Herb Kaufman Memorial 5K Run/ Walk, Adams Township. www.adamsarea42.com

Sept. 4, 9 a.m.: Gatorade Steelers 5K Race, Fitness Walk and Kids’ Kick Off Run, Pittsburgh. New course. 412-697-7713 or www.steelers.com

Sept. 5, 9 a.m.: Labor Day 5K Classic, Washington. Fastest 5Krace in western PA. 724-222-0750 or labordayrace@yahoo.com

Sept. 10, 8 a.m.: Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K, Saxonburg. 724-898-2525 or mlkletzli@embarqmail.com

Sept. 10, 8 a.m.: UPMC Urgent Care Montour Half Marathon and 5K, Robinson Township. New start location. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Race results

Run for your Library 5K, July 9: Steve Strelick, 1st Overall M, 16:46; Leah Ahlin, 1st Overall W, 19:15; Lindsey Snyder, 3rd Overall W, 19:38; Anthony Miller, 1st 10 & Under M, 19:26; Dillon Kessy, 2nd 19 & Under M, 20:09; Ryan Kerr, 3rd 19 & Under M, 20:39; Michael Sibenac, 1st 20-29 M, 20:44; Barry Waiter, 1st 40-49 M, 21:38; Donald Briggs, 1st 50-59 M, 21:46; Katie Lutz, 3rd 19 & Under W, 22:23; Pete Ekstram, 2nd 40-49 M, 22:37; Bob Gracie, 1st 60-69 M, 22:48; David Adams, 2nd 60-69 M, 23:58; Christi Novak, 2nd 30-39 W, 24:12; Randal Paine, 1st 50-59 M, 24:43; Debbie Deddo, 2nd 50-59 W, 24:49; Kim Spears, 3rd 30-39 W, 25:23; Katie Hrach, 1st 40-49 W, 25:40; Carl Heinlein, 3rd 40-49 M, 25:54; Jennifer Kettler, 2nd 20-29 W, 26:44; Pamela Kristoff, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:10; Theresa Toney, 3rd 50-59 W, 27:37; Elaine Kessy, 3rd 40-49 W, 29:25; Heidi Brackbill, 3rd 20-29 W, 30:12; Barbara Lane, 1st 60-69 W, 31:44; Judy Lyle, 2nd 60-69 W, 37:38; James Bolz, 21:21; Alexy Boehm, 21:29; Shawn Hall, 21:29; Damon Ingles, 22:08; Emily Siebert, 22:55; Jim Burns, 23:20; Eric Prex, 23:52; Steve Mix, 23:54; Becky Paine, 23:56; Anthony Wenchell, 24:01; Shawn Hall, 24:07; Keith Wright, 24:10; Robert Morrow, 24:16; Clayton Cupec, 24:28; James Gajewski, 24:28; Halli Sanford-Ryan, 24:40; Katie Lutz, 24:44; Andrew Lingenfelter, 24:47; Joseph Ditullio, 25:13; Kevin Cramer, 25:21; Jacob Zimmer, 25:29; Derek Druschel, 25:32; Dave Gagnon, 25:34; Daniel Christo, 25:34; Jason Aderra, 25:39; Taryn Latsko, 25:50; Tyrell Sales, 25:50; Cindy Waltemire, 25:54; Dean Marraccini, 26:09; Bob Elwell, 26:10; Kevin Moczan, 26:11; Jason Wisniewski, 26:26; Lauren Super, 26:43; April Tuza, 26:52; Kent Ryan, 26:57; Logan Johnson, 27:09; Leslie Mularski, 27:14; Ricky Stephenson, 27:18; Ian Steward, 27:29; Ben Cain, 27:35; Suzanne Leonberg, 27:37; Olivia Morgan, 27:38; Abrianna Fagan, 27:46; Andrew Tabolewski, 28:16; Adam Cesnales, 28:16; Gregory Ditullio, 28:37; Keith Mularski, 28:37; Matthew Mularski, 28:37; Maria Foster, 28:50; Kyle Deddo, 29:16; Myrna Paine, 29:17; Ben Cole, 29:34; Katie Rush, 29:40; Elizabeth Peterson, 29:46; Peggy Sibenac, 29:49; Tiffany Lowe, 29:49; Sherri Smith, 29:57; Mark Bidoli, 29:58; Amy Wagner, 30:20; Shawn Firster, 30:25; John Rusnak, 30:26; Lori Carpenter, 30:41; Dana Hartley, 30:45; Hannah Kemper, 30:55; Nicholas Kiefer, 30:58; Emily Hrach, 31:03; Kira Lyndon, 31:33; Jody Gagnon, 32:17; Brieann Artz, 32:21; James Day, 32:28; Monica Kemper, 32:30; Jamie Wisniewski, 32:32; Robert Ward Jr., 32:59; Karen Coennen, 32:59; Michael Corcoran, 33:05; Katie Nickolich, 33:07; Carol English, 33:08; Cheryl Stasiowski, 33:27; Theresa Toney, 33:27; Amanda Cole, 33:48; Barbara Druschel, 34:20; Greta Huggins, 34:21; Evan Deddo, 34:52; Brian Thompson, 35:39; Crystal Gilliland, 35:44; Meghan Firster, 36:21; Nancy Angus, 36:47; Jason Burkett, 36:48; Abigail Krivak, 37:49; Greg Cupec, 38:09; Andromeda Crano, 38:18; Catherine Gasper, 38:20; Chris Baier, 38:26; Barbara Cashdollar, 38:26; Michelle Myers, 38:37; Maria Yumibanda, 38:40; Tim Yumibanda, 38:41; Daniel Cashdollar, 38:41; Lynn Aufman, 38:43; Donald Cescon, 38:59; Nicholle Baier, 39:02; Jessica Kiefer, 39:14; Melissa Jungling, 39:26; Ada Rumberg, 40:42; Tyler Newpol, 40:50; Claudia Johnson, 40:57; Adam Newpol, 41:00; Caleb Hixon, 41:06; Eilliam Menarcheck, 41:58; Christine Ekas, 41:59; Jan Smith, 42:26; John Darcanangelo, 42:59; Ana Mae Smith, 46:20; Olivia Alexander, 55:38; Liliyan Hixon, 5:49; Andrew Hixon, 55:49

Butler YMCA Triathlon, July 9: Chris Nocera, 1st Overall M, 43:04; Joella Baker, 1st Overall W, 55:57; Jason Jacobs, 2nd 20-24 M, 46:54; Van McCarren, 1st 19 & Under M, 47:56; Jeremiah Friday, 2nd 30-34 M, 50:46; Jeff Platt, 3rd 50-54 M, 52:41; Sean Girdwood, 3rd 35-39 M, 54:06; Larry McDonough, 3rd 45-49 M, 54:11; Matthew Pribis, 2nd 19 & Under M, 54:28; Sean Dolan, 3rd 50-54 M, 57:13; Paul Severine, 2nd 35-39 M, 57:23; Luke Snyder, 3rd 25-29 M, 57:48; Jennifer Fennell, 3rd 45-49 W, 1:00:03; Rebecca Hinterlang, 1st 30-34 W, 1:00:06; Matthew Crawford, 2nd 20-24 M, 1:00:10; Ashley Crawford, 2nd 19 & Under W, 1:03:30; Traci McKenna, 2nd 40-44 W, 1:04:12; Tony Manfred, 3rd 20-24 M, 1:04:23; David Stewart, 2nd 60-64 M, 1:04:37; Jenn Wohlgamuth, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:05:21; Kathie Blinn, 1st 50-54 W, 1:07:30; Louis Yossa, 3r d65-69 M, 1:09:39; Anne Cheman, 1st 60-64 W, 1:12:20; Susan Wingfield, 3rd 55-59 W, 1:46:13; Carol Atwell, 3rd 60-64 W, 1:52:54; Chris Romito, 54:34; Grant Coffield, 57:14; Aaron Depew, 57:34; Dave Szebalskie, 59:16; Bob Markovich, 59:25; John Alexander, 1:00:46; Rick Colongcio, 1:00:48; Jesse McKinnis, 1:01:06; Tom Minnock, 1:02:12; Brian Kile, 1:02:19; Brad Zukowski, 1:02:30; Lynn McDonough, 1:02:33; Sean Martin, 1:04:43; Steve Russell, 1:04:58; Lisa Myers, 1:04:58; Pamela Fredericks, 1:04:59; Ryan Sanders, 1:05:14; Andy Manfred, 1:05:52; Ken Young, 1:05:56; Eric Huff, 1:06:24; Cory Pfahl, 1:06:31; Bob Todd, 1:06:41; William Scott, 1:07:26; Dave Nelson, 1:07:36; Matt Hinterlang, 1:07:45; Austin Randolph, 1:08:23; Scott Baker, 1:08:29; Scott Ackerman, 1:08:59; Thomas Nolan, 1:09:28; Gary Bell, 1:09:49; John Reddick, 1:10:02; Darrin Grove, 1:10:09; Michael Neuman, 1:10:19; Michael Scott, 1:10:25; Thomas Doerr, 1:10:45; Lindsay Klaum, 1:12:06; Greg Adams, 1:13:11; Carolyn Shetter, 1:13:47; Jim Pfahl, 1:13:53; Cynthia Lutz, 1:15:35; Susan Tuch, 1:15:36; Beth Skinner, 1:15:43; Darren Klaum, 1:17:10; Jacob Christensen, 1:17:22; Natalie Kuffer, 1:19:06; Kevin Pritts, 1:19:36; Dawn Cancilla, 1:19:36; Shari Allen, 1:19:55; Rebecca Lozzi, 1:20:37; James Klanica, 1:25:19; Terry Germanoski, 1:25:22; Terry Wingfield, 1:25:46; Jennifer Do, 1:26:18; Stacy Lowery, 1:28:23; Victoria Bolten, 1:29:48; Michael Shutty, 1:30:25; Linda Myers, 1:31:09; Tim Cammisa, 1:31:54; Bill Richter, 1:38:55, Christine McGarrah, 1:53:47; Al Lane, 1:58:01; Jennifer Bindernagel, 2:09:32

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle