The Hong Kong Hash House Harriers who go running in typhoons
When the No 8 storm signal is raised, most of Hong Kong hunkers down in a safe place. For a handful of intrepid (or irresponsible) runners, it’s time for a T8 run
Most people take cover during a typhoon. For a group of runners, though, the raising of the Hong Kong Observatory’s No. 8 gale or storm signal – popularly known as a T8 – is the signal to take to the trails.
During the recent T8 caused by Super Typhoon Haima, more than 50 people turned up at noon at Aldrich Bay Park in Sai Wan Ho. From there, they ran towards Shau Kei Wan, headed up towards the hills of Tai Tam Country Park, then ran along the Hong Pak Country Trail before descending and returning to the starting point.
As the group – known officially as the T8 Hash House Harriers – covered the 5.5 kilometre route, the government website reported more than 80 fallen trees and more than 740 flights being cancelled or delayed. But the hashers would not be grounded.
Hashing is a global phenomenon started in 1938 by British runners in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the idea is to follow a trail which has been laid by a lead runner (called a “hare”) using flour, chalk, paper or rice. The fun run always ends with beers, and hashers label themselves as “drinkers with a running problem”.
The Typhoon Haima hash was the 22nd running of the T8 Hash since its first run in August 1995 in tropical storm Helen. If a T8 is raised before or at 8am, the T8 Hash meets at noon at a prearranged location. If the T8 is raised after 8am, the group meets at 4pm. If the signal comes down before 11am, the run is off.