‘Santa Hash’ runners raise over HK$60,000 for charity
Over 170 runners took part in this year’s annual fundraiser by Hong Kong’s 14 Hash House Harriers clubs
More than 170 runners – many sporting Santa hats, red T-shirts and other Christmas-themed outfits – raced through Pok Fu Lam for this year’s Santa Hash run and raised over HK$60,000 for charity.
The run on December 10, organised by one of the 14 Hash House Harriers clubs in Hong Kong, is an annual affair to support Operation Santa Claus, the annual charity campaign organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK.
While each club organises their own races throughout the year, their runners traditionally come together at the end of the year for the Santa Hash and they have been doing so for over 20 years now.
The funds they raise come from donations, entrance fees that all runners have to pay – though they received a free flow of beer and can take part in a raffle to win prizes – and merchandise sales.
“Hashing” is derived from an old British school game – “Hares and Hounds” – where two groups of runners would chase each other through the countryside, following a paper or chalk trail.
The format for this year’s event was no different, but organisers said the turnout was one of the highest in recent years. The fastest runners took about an hour to complete the 8.5km route, which began in the Cyberport business park and stretched around Chi Fu Fa Yuen, Pok Fu Lam Village and Wah Fu.