This is often described as a 'fun run'. Having chased up what is affectionately known as "Heartbreak Hill", for it's ability to stop a few on the way up with it's incline, I can truly tell you there was nothing funny about that bit!

The day began with some 67,000 people gathered together in the centre of Sydney. A few of us were there from the Sydney Thirsty Hash House Harriers huddled & trying to catch the warmth of the sun. Many people doing this run wear their worn out tracky bottoms & tops and these are shed a few minutes before the start, left for the Salvation army to pick up. It's pretty funny to see this happen. There's clothes flying everywhere, making the scenario like world's biggest strip tease!

Of course you do get the occasional fancy dress entry. There were folk dressed as Sp*rms (sponsored by D*rex of course!), Batmen, Leprechauns, Gorillas, Chickens oh and a giraffe. There were several starts due to the enormity of the event. Sharpie flocked with our Hashers in the "Back of the Pack" ie everyone else. In hindsight, I think I might need to move up to a faster group next time. I ran with my mate Mick "Pokerharder" from the Hash and we spent the first 10k weaving in and out of the pack, trying to get ahead. This proved completely impossible though, for the first 2k due to the attendance. The pack meandered its way out through the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, up the heartbreak hill and out toward the eastern beaches, with a fine view of Bondi Beach on the final straight.

There were some great sights and support along the way: Jazz bands playing in bus shelters, folk throwing water, flags, banners and those who simply came to cheer the runners on. The post run entertainment was the beer bucket laid on by the Sydney Larrikins Hash House Harriers. Just what you need after a run like that! A few of us carried on and joined the leftovers of the day in the Bondi Beach Hotel. It certainly went downhill from there on as the alcohol was sucked into the bloodstream of the dehydrated!

 All in all a grand day out as shown by the photos here.

How did I do? Well, try as I might, I was beaten by 5 Sp*rms, 2 batmen & a Leprechaun. I do feel proud however, that no chickens, gorillas or vegetables passed me.