Saturday were actually Hallowe'en partiers out for a late-night run.

It was revealed yesterday that the local branch of an international social running club called the "Hash House Harriers'' were responsible for the scare.

And a member of the group contacted The Royal Gazette to quell fears of devil worship.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday concerns by at least one Boaz Island resident who spotted the robed group of revellers walking through a graveyard.

The woman said she saw one member of the group carrying a smoking hatchet and two others with blood on their clothes.

She said neighbours feared unholy activity -- possibly animal sacrifice -- and called Police.

But Hash House runner Mark Griffin said officers know about the group -- since a fright last year at Dockyard caused area residents to call Police.

"Last year, it took a lot of explanation but now the Police know about us.

This year we called Police beforehand to let them know since people had been frightened before,'' he said.

Mr. Griffin said the club puts down a paper trail -- and the slower runners follow the main trail while the faster runners go down false trails and dead ends.

Although the group takes a run about every two weeks, Mr. Griffin said they only dress up in costumes for fun special occasions -- like Hallowe'en.

"The costumes were quite good, I've got to admit -- but the only ritual we follow is that we sometimes sing. It's pretty embarrassing they called our singing "weird noises''.

Mr. Griffin said the Harriers were following the Northern English style of costuming which "is a lot scarier'' and lean toward frights like ghosts and witches rather than US-style masquerade costumes.

"And there was no animal sacrifice -- not this time, anyway,'' he chuckled.

"Police approached us twice that night, but all we're doing is running, really,'' he said.