Have you ever hear of the Beer Mile? I hadn’t until recently and was invited to participate in one this Saturday.
Here is how this run works: First, each competitor consumes a single beer in the starting area. After the beer is emptied (as proven by turning the container upside down on one’s head), run one lap of the track. Upon return to the starting area, another beer is consumed and another lap run. Each runner must complete four laps and the 4 corresponding beers. If one vomits before the fourth lap is completed, a fifth lap must be run. Multiple vomits DO NOT result in multiple penalty laps, so the maximum any person will run is 1.25 miles.
Source
Apparently these kinds of runs are all the rage and there are some pretty strict rules you have to follow:
Official Beermile.Com Rules
1. Each competitor drinks four cans of beer and runs four laps on a track (Start – beer/lap, beer/lap, beer/lap, beer/lap – finish).
2. Beer must be consumed before the lap is begun, within the transition area which is the 10 meter zone before the start/finish line on a 400m track.
3. The race begins with the drinking of the first beer in the last meter of the transition zone to ensure the comptitors run a complete mile (1609 meters).
4. Women also drink four beers in four laps (past rule lists only required ladies to drink three beers).
5. Competitors must drink canned beer and the cans should not be less than 355ml (the standard can volume) or 12oz (the imperial equivalent). Bottles may be substituted for cans as long as they are at least 12 oz (355 ml) in volume.
6. No specialized cans or bottles may be used that give an advantage by allowing the beer to pour at a faster rate. ie “super mega mouth cans” or “wide mouth bottles” are prohibited.
7. Beer cans must not be tampered with in any manner, ie. no shotgunning or puncturing of the can except for opening the can by the tab at the top. The same applies with bottles – no straws or other aids are allowed in order to aid in the speed of pouring.
8. Beer must be a minimum of 5% alcohol by volume. Hard ciders and lemonades will not suffice. The beer must be a fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from malt and flavored with hops. For an abbreviated list of valid beers and exceptions, click here.
9. Each beer can must not be opened until the competitor enters the transition zone on each lap.
10. Competitors who vomit before they finish the race must complete one penalty lap at the end of the race (immediately after the completion of their 4th lap). Note: Vomitting more than once during the race still requires only one penalty lap at the end.
While this event sounds kinda fun I am not sure I can hack it. Chugging 4 beers would probably make me sick if I wasn’t running and throwing up in public is not my idea of a good time. I might go as a spectator and see if some super stars can break the 5:09 record (seriously!)
Would you or have you run a beer mile?
Laura says
I would totally run a beer mile! I need to find one!
J. L. says
I do think the beer mile sounds healthier than the donut run (I can’t remember if it’s Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme) I can’t wait for the recap on this run.
Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal says
We did one of these every year in college! Sadly, we even ended up in the newspaper because of it (Yes, that’s Boulder for you!)
It got really bad when people started to switch from a beer per lap to a shot of vodka…..guh