By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 25: Kuching has won the bid to host Interhash 2028, one of the world’s largest international hashing events, scheduled to take place from July 14 to 16, 2028, with up to 4,000 participants expected to converge on Sarawak.
The event is projected to generate approximately RM12 million in tourism receipts while further strengthening Sarawak’s position as a destination for international adventure and cultural tourism.
Announcing the achievement at a press conference at Baitulmakmur II today, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah described the successful bid as a strong endorsement of Sarawak’s growing global appeal.
“This major achievement is a strong vote of confidence in Sarawak’s ability to attract and host major global events, proving that we are increasingly being recognised as a destination capable of delivering unique adventure experiences on a global scale,” he said.
Interhash, the flagship gathering of the global Hash House Harriers community, is held every two years and brings together thousands of hashers from more than 50 countries and over 450 hash chapters worldwide.
The 2028 edition will feature four trail categories — the Ball Breaker Run (26km to 28km), Long Run (7km to 10km), Medium Run (5km to 7km) and Short Run (3km to 5km).
Abdul Karim said the influx of visitors is expected to benefit various sectors, including accommodation providers, transport operators, tour companies, food and beverage businesses, retailers and community-based enterprises across the State.
In keeping with Interhash tradition, a Red Dress Run Charity Run will be held a day before the main event, with proceeds channelled to local charitable organisations.
Over the next two years, the organising committee led by the Kuching City Hash Club will embark on an international promotional campaign through major hashing events and roadshows worldwide.
“This is a very proud moment for Sarawak. It is an opportunity for us to showcase a distinctly Sarawakian experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
“Our goal is for every hasher who visits Sarawak to become a lifelong ambassador for our destination, share stories of who we are and what we offer, and strengthen our reputation as a cultural-adventure tourism hotspot in Southeast Asia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Interhash 2028 co-organising chairman Chris Chai said Kuching won the hosting rights in a closely contested bid in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, crediting the State’s support in securing the victory.
He said the event will begin on July 14, 2028, with the traditional Red Dress Run in Kuching city centre, followed by the opening ceremony and entertainment programmes.
The following day will feature the Ball Breaker Run, a challenging 26km to 28km endurance course limited to about 120 runners.
Chai said participants will be transported to designated starting points, with registration and accountability procedures in place to ensure all runners are accounted for. Sweepers will also be deployed along the routes.
Co-organising chairman Robin Kho added that the trails will be clearly marked with paper trail signs and that participants will be briefed prior to each run.
“If the participants follow the markings, they will not get lost,” he said.
Apart from the main event, Chai said organisers plan to collaborate with Hash House Harrier chapters across Sarawak to organise pre- and post-event runs to encourage visitors to extend their stay.
He said similar initiatives in the past had successfully brought hundreds of hashers to destinations such as Mulu, and similar programmes are being explored for 2028.
The organising committee has already been established and will begin international promotional roadshows leading up to the event, with a target of attracting 4,000 participants by 2028.
Among those present were Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) permanent secretary Morshidi Fredrick, Business Events Sarawak acting chief executive officer Jason Tan Chin Foo, Kuching City Hash Club grandmaster Ronnie Ten and Red Dress Charity Run chairman Johnson Tan.
— DayakDaily
