The Hash House Harriers is an international organisation with a global network and Chiang Mai was chosen to host this year's Interhash run, which is staged every two years in different countries to raise funds for charity.

The opening ceremony will be held today at Chiang Mai's 700th Anniversary Stadium. However, preliminary Hash runs have been held around the region since last Saturday.

This year's Interhash has been divided in short-race legs passing through Singapore, Malaysia, Songkhla, Hat Yai, Hua Hin, Bangkok, Sukhothai, and Chiang Mai. Each leg features a run and some fun activities, usually involving the amber liquid. After each run, usually about six-10 kilometres, there is always a light-hearted post-run "circle" appraising the event.

On Saturday the runners will gather in Chiang Mai and start simultaneously from 22 different locations and cross the same finish line at the stadium. At least 2,000 runners are expected to join in.

"The Interhashers will get to exercise along with having some fun. All profits from this event will go to charitable organisations in Chiang Mai," said Rangsarit Laksitanon, the assistant managing director of the Singha Corporation, the main sponsor of the event.

The highlight of the Interhash is today's Red Dress Run. All participants have to wear either red T-shirts or dresses and run from the Monument of Three Kings, then around the city before crossing the finish line at Suan Buak Haad Park.

"In fact, this is not a serious competition. No prizes are on offer for the winners," said Rangsarit. "Everyone joins the race willingly. The Red Dress Run is only a charitable event from which all proceeds go to His Majesty the King's Royal Charitable Projects for development of rural Thailand," he added.

Waree Theptoranintra

The Nation