While cold winds swept across Hong Kong on a December night, 200 runners dressed as Santa Claus, reindeer and Christmas elves brought warmth and vitality to the scene as they dashed through the chilly air.

The 6km (3.7 mile) Christmas-themed run at the city’s Central Ferry Piers was organised by the Hong Kong arm of international running club Midnight Runners, which was first established in London.

For the club’s members, the event was not just about running, improving speed or building stamina, but also about having fun, making friends and finding a community, thanks to its energetic music, themed runs and welcoming atmosphere.

The turnout for the Christmas event in Hong Kong also represented a rise in the popularity of running clubs, as people sought in-person interactions and placed a greater emphasis on their health in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stephanie Sun, 34, was one of the runners who set up the club’s Hong Kong branch in 2019 after spending four months at the one in Barcelona in 2018.

Members increased from 20 to 30 and then reached more than 1,000. It now hosts a session with 200 participants every Thursday at the Central Ferry Piers, as well as other social and charity activities.