Sydney South Harbour Hash House Harriers (S2H4), The LARRIKIN HASH, were formed in 1979 as a splinter group of (what is now it's rival!) the Posh Hash. In the grand scheme of things these two clubs are merely chapters of a greater history as both are part of a world-wide group known as the HASH HOUSE HARRIERS (HHH).
The story really begins in Kuala Lumpur in the year 1938. Here at the Selangor Club Chambers resided a number of British expatriate men. One of these residents,a Mr A.S. Gispert, was popularly credited with forming the first Hash House Harriers club due to his distinction of having previously ran with a group known as the Springgit Harriers in Malacca. There were other Harrier clubs in existence across Asia (and likely elsewhere) at this time but what probably led to the expansion of the "Hash House" Harriers was the unique non-localised name given to the club. The Hash House was a name affectionately given to the Selangor Club as a reference it's institution food.
This original club had no rules as such but did have two major motivations:-
1. To promote physical fitness among it's members
2. To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer
The second motivation sealed the Hash House Harriers' place in history.
Later more "Hash" clubs formed along the Malay peninsula. The popularity of "Hashing" grew and expanded overseas. There are now over 1000 clubs covering 6 continents and many islands.