A drinking club with a running problem — chasing trails through Port Harcourt every Friday since 2005.
Port Harcourt Hash House Harriers — known as PH H3 or PH-HHH — is one of many Nigerian hashing kennels. The first hash in Nigeria started in 1980. PHH3 started running in 2005, and the kennel has been chasing trails (and beers) ever since.
PH H3 adopted the vulture as its emblem because of how often vultures were spotted around Port Harcourt back then. Trails are marked with chalk symbols on the ground — checks, false trails, and the always-tricky check-backs. A typical run lasts about 60 minutes.
Over the years the kennel has racked up real wins, including hosting the 2018 Nash Hash in Calabar with over 800 hashers from around the world. Through periods of mismanagement, leadership changes, and questionable decisions on trail, PH H3 keeps going.
The hares mark their trail with paper, chalk, sawdust, string, or coloured flour — depending on the environment and the weather.
Special marks indicate false trails, backtracks, shortcuts, and turns. The most common is a 'check' — meaning the pack has to fan out and find where the trail picks up again. Most runs include a 'beer check' too: a planned stop to drink, eat, and wait for stragglers to catch up.
In 1987, Donna Rhinehart was taken to a hash in Long Beach, California, to be introduced to the sport. She was told to 'wait in the truck' until her host returned — instead, she joined the hash in her red dress. The next year, San Diego H3 flew her in for the first official Red Dress Run, and the tradition stuck.
Rhinehart suggested the run could raise money for local charities. Today the Red Dress Run is part of Nash Hash in Nigeria — an annual event hosted by different kennels around the country.
PHH3's signature event — a reggae-soaked hash through Port Harcourt's epic trails. Tricky checks, ice-cold beer stops, and a soundtrack that's nothing but Bob.
Run, chant, and celebrate unity. One love, one trail, endless vibes.
Most hash events end in a 'circle' — sometimes called 'religion'. Led by the GM and RA, it's where hashers get formally named, announcements are made, drinking songs are sung, and the mischief of the trail is recognised through lighthearted 'punishments'. Expect laughter, camaraderie, and beer-fuelled storytelling. Spontaneous participation is always encouraged.
A 'down-down' is a time-honoured ritual — part celebration, part punishment, all in good fun. The chosen one chugs their drink without pause — or risks anointing themselves with the remains. Honours go to visitors, newcomers, or those who served the pack well. But beware — infractions, real or hilariously fabricated, also earn one. Offences range from skipping the beer check, pointing with a finger, or uttering a forbidden sound, to the ultimate sin: wearing new shoes (which may just become your drinking vessel).
Hashers often sport unique attire on the trail and at the closing circle. Thick, knee-high 'Shiggy' socks shield shins from thorns, mud, and mayhem. Kilts woven with the Hash's own tartan add a bold touch of heritage. Some kennels reward hashers with earned gear like bibs or sashes, marking milestones and misadventures. The 'happi coat' — a vibrant Japanese-inspired jacket — is customised to reflect each kennel's spirit. Whether clad in shiggy-proof armour or rocking a well-earned bib, hashers wear their chaos with pride.
'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' is the sacred anthem of the Hash — a song every hasher knows and (mostly) respects. Playful variations exist, but its place in the tradition is untouched globally. The hymn unites hashers in raucous harmony, echoing through trails and circles alike. Origins are debated — some trace it to Singapore H3, others to Mother H3 — but its legacy is undeniable. When the hymn begins, hashers raise their voices (and their drinks) in tribute to the wild, untamed spirit of the Hash.
Many Hash kennels take pride in their unique logos, often designing special emblems for major events like Nash Hash. Despite the individuality of each kennel, certain universal symbols remain iconic — most recognisably, the human foot outline (or a pair) accompanied by the classic phrase 'On On'. Among the most prized hash memorabilia are T-shirts, considered by many as collector's items. Each shirt commemorates a unique hash and event, often featuring kennel logos, dates, hares, locations, sponsors, and more — every shirt tells a story of trails conquered, beers downed, and camaraderie shared.
In most chapters, using real names during an event is highly discouraged. Instead, members earn a 'Hash name' — a nickname inspired by their most outrageous escapade, distinctive personality trait, or physical quirk. Some kennels require hashers to earn their name through something noteworthy, ridiculous, or infamous. Others bestow names after a set number of runs (usually 5 to 10) or after setting a first trail (the 'Virgin Hare'). Names range from family-friendly ('Lost My Way') to bawdy and irreverent — but once given, the name sticks. Until officially named, newcomers are 'Just (Name)', 'Nameless (Name)', or simply 'Virgin'.
Every Friday, 5pm. Bring shoes you don't mind ruining and a thirst for cold beer. Visitors and virgins always welcome.