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Runners determined not to make a hash of dash for cash

About 200 runners - some dressed as Santa - will get into gear to try to raise more than $45,000 for Operation Santa Claus.

This year's Santa Hash run, which is hosted by the Wan Chai Hash Harriers, will start from South Island School at 2pm on Sunday.

'A lot of people, and several companies, are giving us money and selling raffles for this,' said assistant grand master Deric Probst-Wallace.

'The route is secret, and there will be a lot of false trails laid down as well,' he said. 'We are very happy to help Operation Santa Claus.'

One donation of $8,000 has been made by the David Johnson Memorial Fund, which was set up in memory of a hash house harrier organiser who passed away last year.

Mr Probst-Wallace said money left over from the memorial foundation was donated to Operation Santa Claus. 'So Johnson is effectively a donor,' he said.

Runners have a choice of two courses. 'One takes about 90 minutes to complete and the other, harder one, takes 45 minutes,' Mr Probst-Wallace said.

Male runners pay $120 and women $80 to take part. The run will be followed by drinks, sponsored by Carlsberg.

The hash house harriers are perhaps the world's most eccentric 'running club with a drinking problem', with branches across the globe.

It is a variation on the hare and hounds race, which began in Kuala Lumpur in the late 1930s.

Runners - 'hares' - lay down a flour trail, which is followed by other runners, or 'hounds'.

The run is then followed by a social activity, which usually involves the consumption of a large quantity of beer. Hashing is open to anyone.

Operation Santa Claus is an annual fund-raising campaign organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK in aid of local charities.

For information about the Santa Hash, call Mr Probst-Wallace on 9030 4087.

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