To the editor:

At SLU, I read Ernest Hemingway and was introduced to the running of the bulls in Spain. I thought I was going to do that. Never did. However, at age 66 and just retired from rugby, I realized I’ve been running with the bulls for 46 years! Every summer for the last 51 years, the Saranac Lake Rugby Football Club, the Mountaineers, has hosted a rugby tournament, at one point the largest in North America.

Over those 46 years, the amount of running or playing I could do varied, due to work, marriage, children, etc. Playing time gradually lessened, but there was always the CanAm Rugby Tournament mid-summer. Eventually, playing time was reduced to one event a year, the CanAm a three-day tournament starting with age-grade brackets (35 years old and up to 60+ in five-year increments) for Old Boys on Friday, culminating with championships for each bracket and others on Sunday.

Last year, I retired from rugby. However, as the CanAm comes to the North Country on July 25 through the 27 in the Tri-Lakes region, I feel the call to run with the bulls one more time. I can’t do a whole tournament. I can’t risk doing a single full game, not even a full half…but surely, I could step out there and run with the bulls one more time!

At age 66 in the 60+ bracket, I will literally feel like I am running with bulls. In hindsight, I always have been. I just didn’t realize it. Everybody has one more run, right? Do you? I’ve seen rookies at 60 years old try this sport and get hooked. You don’t need to go to Spain to catch a thrill or to feel alive, just come to Saranac Lake on Friday, July 25. Come run with the bulls.

Douglas R. Ferris

Willsboro