He belongs to a generation of runners whose carefree attitudes have fuelled the popularity of running clubs that prove, according to Canadian Running magazine editor Michal Kapral, "we're not a bunch of prudes." They include beer milers, who claim a fair number of frat boys but also serious runners.

The event usually happens at a dark, secluded track, away from campus security or city police — sometimes it might even take place on a farmer’s field in the country — but no matter the venue, the challenge remains the same. The contest calls for runners to chug four beers (three for the women’s event) at regular 400m intervals during a mile race, in an attempt to crown the fastest beer miler.

The same scenario as in '04 played out again this year with a similar cast of characters plus about 20 additional idiots (there seems to be no shortage) but this time adherence to the rules (yes, there are actually rules) listed on www.beermile.com became part of the obvious challenge that includes four 12-ounce beer (note, Canadians don’t pluralize the word and, after all, aren’t they the experts?) and 4-laps around a track. Those who had participated for the first time in ’04 were one year wiser and wanted to officially carve their name into history. Only by strictly adhering to the rules would this happen. Many claimed to be a "beer miler" but no one had yet become the genuine article.