Some people are described as mad as hatters or mad as a March hares but how do you describe some of East Down's members, hitherto paragons of  sobriety and domesticity, the weekend before last and this one. Gavin Oakes Michael Degan  and Colm and Kim Surginor set the trend when they headed for Wicklow and an event which involved paddling a kayak across a lake, riding a bicycle up a mountain (twice) running up another one (twice), collapsing (several times)and generally enjoying themselves. – not so much trains, planes and automobiles as boats, bikes and blisters (everywhere apparently).

Michael Degan proved the swiftest of the quartet, romping home in 4.32 with Gavin not far behind on 4.37.  Colm and Kim completed the “most difficult thing they had ever done” in 6.22 and all should be rightly proud of their achievement, but watch out for the men in white coats!! 

Then on Sunday past, a few thousand miles away in the sunshine of South Africa, the allegedly sane Brian Hamilton, with honorary member Martina Elliot, tackled the 56 miles Comrades Marathon, described by Brian as “ the toughest yet” after they completed in 9 hours 25 minutes.

All are now awaiting their certificates – or did they say being certified?

They should be recovered in time for the Loughinisland 5.05 mile race and Fun Run on Saturday 26th June which heralds the start of the popular Tour of the Co. Down series continuing on Friday 9th July with the Greyabbey 10K, the Russell Gaelic Union 10K and relay on Wednesday 28 July, Darragh Cross 10K and Fun Run on Saturday 21 August, the Killyleagh Five on Friday 27 August and ending with the Saul GAC Round the Griddle 10K and Fun Run on Saturday 26 November.

So there's plenty to chose from in this list and even more if you include the Portaferry Gala 10 Mile Race and 2 x 5 Mile relay on Tuesday 20 July, for which incidentally online entries can now be made at www.niathletics.org . You would have to be mad not to do them all but then it seems we're well qualified in that department.

The Loughinisland race includes a non-athletic club team event, for teams of four, and are inviting clubs to send entries for this category, which will carry with it for the winners the prestige of being fittest club in Down – and there's a superb perpetual trophy for the winners as well.

Joe Quinn
30 May 2010