A Nation Terrorized

On April 21, 1934, the Daily Mail newspaper struck terror into the hearts of the British people when it published an awe-inspiring photograph of the Loch Ness Monster; a dinosaur-like beast that was rumored to have been lurking at the bottom a lake in Scotland called Loch Ness.

The stunningly realistic photograph sparked widespread hysteria and a surge in sightings of the creature.

Decades later, however, it was exposed as an elaborate and highly sophisticated hoax, made out of wood putty and a toy submarine purchased from F.W. Woolworth.

Ignominious Outrage

The hoax was spearheaded by a big game hunter called Marmaduke Wetherell. The year before, he had found large footprints on the side of the lake after the newspaper hired him to find the fabled beast. Upon closer inspection, however, zoologists determined that the tracks were identical, and made with an umbrella stand or ashtray that had a hippopotamus leg as a base. Publicly ridiculed and humiliated, Wetherell swore to take his revenge.

In celebration of the anniversary of this scandal, join us on Sunday as we run or walk around two bodies of water – the Tonghui River and the pond in Ritan Park – in which the fearsome beast may yet be lying in wait. With fragrant blossoms still on the trees, we can expect a glorious spring day.

In addition to Beijing’s Russian district around Yabaolu, the running trail will also take us through Shuangjing’s Bohemian Apple Community, and Chaoyangmen’s whacky Galaxy Soho.

Hares: Boxer ass ass in, Pickle Boy, Little Red Shittinghood

Type: A to A with bag drop

When: Sunday April 21st 2024. Meet at 2:30pm, run/walk starts at 3:00pm

Hashcash: 30 rmb for run and circle only, 105 rmb for run, circle and dinner afterwards.

(PLEASE NOTE: after the last beer stop, there will be no refunds and no new bookings for dinner).

Where: 

Yingmen Stir-fried Chicken, Wanhao International Apartment Shop, Yong’anli Middle Street, Chaoyang District

沂蒙炒鸡(万豪国际公寓店), 朝阳区万豪国际公寓南门南60米

D’erections: Jianguomen Subway Station, Lines 1 and 2. （建国门地铁站B东北出口）From Exit B, walk about 400m east along Jiangguomen Outer Street, turn right down Jianhua S Rd, left along Yong’an Xili, then diagonally down Yong’anli Middle St until you get to Tonghuihe N Rd. The restaurant is on the corner.

As usual, this is an adult activity in which we behave like children so expect to see nonsense, licentiousness, a modest level of drunkenness and considerable rude behaviour going on. There may be vomiting on this occasion. Don’t be offended; we’re always like that and if you’re here you’re doing it too. For all of those reasons this isn’t a kid-friendly activity so – unless you’re table 1 – best stay home. More regular members of society are of course very welcome and can of course take part, but be polite, don’t be purposefully rude and remember that if you’re running there’s no winner.

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