During a time of uncertainty around races, BTC member Adrian Collins, along with his brother Brendan, planned a challenge to help them focus their winter training, independent of any organised race. The challenge was to complete the Cork City Virtual marathon on a course along the popular Backwater Way route. To add to the challenge, they planned to complete the course in the darkness of night. On Saturday, June 5th at 1 am, while most reasonable people were safely ensconced in their beds, the intrepid duo set off on their own personal odyssey from Clogheen, Co. Tipperary. Conditions were unseasonably wet, but at least they knew it was summer because the rain was warmer than usual. The route (visiting three counties) passed by the Bay Lough, through the Vee, over some open mountain trails onto Araglin, across winding country roads and forestry tracks into Kilworth via Glenseskin Woods, finally finishing in Fermoy for a total distance of 29 miles. (Apparently a regular 26.2 mile marathon on a regular road in daylight wasn’t challenging enough for the Collins boys) Conditions on the morning were challenging, with steady rain impacting visibility and footing but mild temperatures made for enjoyable running. The route was understandably quiet, aside from some startled deer and sheep, who are probably still wondering whether they imagined the fleet footed siblings cruising past them in the small wee hours of the morning. The runners arrived in Fermoy tired and wet, but happy to have completed their midnight challenge.