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Hash House Harriers on the run for Operation Santa Claus

Hash House Harriers hit the trails in pursuit of victory, fun and a few welcome beers, while swelling the coffers for Operation Santa Claus

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Hash runners are keen to get going as they gather before the start of the Operation Santa Claus Santa Hash 2013 at Lockhart Road playground in Wan Chai. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Members of the city's 13 Hash House Harrier clubs have slipped on their running shoes for their annual Christmas Santa Hash to raise money for Operation Santa Claus.

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Since the first Operation Santa more than 20 years ago, each one of the Hong Kong-based Hash House Harrier clubs has organised a Christmas charity run.

This year's event, on December 8, was attended by about 140 hill-running and beer-drinking enthusiasts and was led by the Kowloon Hash club.

Hashing, as it is known, is similar to the old English sport of hare and hounds, or paper chase, whereby a "hare" lays a trail of paper and chalk for the remaining pack of "hashers" to follow as they track the hare through a cross-country run.

"The weather was nice with no rain so the trail marks were all there. I'm glad that people didn't get lost," said Mark Hope, who was the hare this year.

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Hope has set the trail for the Christmas Santa Hash six times in the past seven years.

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