Ian Hepher likes
to dress up -- really dress up.
The Kirkland resident will run through the streets of Pointe
Claire in a red dress this Sunday as part of the Hash House Harriers annual Red Dress Run
to raise money for the Cedar Cancer Institute of the Royal Victoria Hospital.
"I don't like running and I don't like jogging but I love
hashing," said Hepher who founded the Montreal chapter of the international running
club in 1995. "You have to find a trail and follow it -- you're not just
pounding the pavement."
This will be the second Red Dress Run for the Montreal group.
Although the group raised only $80 last year for breast cancer research, Hepher said he is
expecting the total this year to be closer to $2,000. The group has been targeting
corporate donations and an auction will be held after the run from which all funds will go
to the institute.
Anyone is invited to take part in the run, but participants are
encouraged to wear a red dress. Hepher said the run will take about 45 minutes and
cover just over 7km.
Participants aren't required to run the entire route and shortcuts are
scattered along so walkers have the chance to catch up. The |
pack of runners follow a
trail. At the end of the pack are Hashers who help out slower participants by
pointing out the shortcuts.
"It's a group that any person of whatever fitness level can
join on the run," said Hepher. "That's the whole point -- to get out and
enjoy it."
Hepher has participated in over 300 hashes in North America, Europe and
the far East and has led 64 hashes since the Montreal chapter began. The Montreal
society currently has more than 100 hashing members with 15 to 25 participating on a
typical Sunday Hash.
Hepher said the red dresses are only worn to attract attention and
raise awareness of breast cancer.
"It's an unbelievable reaction, people stop and stare," said
Hepher.
"People are just having fun. You see them with a big smile
on their faces."
The Red Dress Run will leave from Moe's Deli and Bar, 940 St. John's
Blvd. in Pointe Claire, at 1 p.m. on Sunday. For information, call the Hash Hotline
at 695-1137 or visit the website at www.geocities.com/colosseum/1133. |
