This runner just set a new world record for the beer mile — and it’s seriously quick

News
By published

The weird and wonderful rules of the beer mile

runner Corey Bellemore and beer
(Image credit: Instagram/coreybellemore/ Shutterstock)

Canadian triathlete, Corey Bellemore, just set a new world record for the beer mile, and it’s seriously fast. Taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, Bellemore ran the mile race in 4:27, despite downing a beer every 400m.

In fact, his splits were pretty impressive, downing each beer in around 7 seconds (except the last lap, when opening the bottle took a few extra seconds), before running 400m in around a minute.

What is a beer mile?

As its name suggests, a beer mile is a running race that involves drinking, while running around a track. A mile is four laps of a running track, and for the race, participants have to stop and drink 12 ounces of beer after each lap.

Unofficial and official rules exist. The beer must be consumed within a nine metre transition area — competitors can walk in the transition area while drinking, but all beer must be consumed in the transition area before setting off to run a lap.

The beer is not allowed to be decanted into a sports bottle or cup to make drinking quickly easier, instead the 12 ounces should be consumed from a beer bottle or can. If participants are drinking from a can, the can should not be punctured or squeezed to make drinking easier.

The rules state the beer must be at least 5%, and cider or fizzy drinks cannot be substituted. The beer must not be opened for the runners.

The rules also state, “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). Vomiting more than once during the race still only requires one penalty lap at the end.”

Nice.

The real question, as asked by one commenter on Instagram, is how Bellemore trains for such an impressive feat. The danger of drinking and running is dehydration, and (obviously) falling over and injuring yourself. So don’t try this at home, kids.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.

More from Tom's Guide

Jane McGuire
Jane McGuire
Fitness editor

Jane McGuire is Tom's Guide's Fitness editor, which means she looks after everything fitness related - from running gear to yoga mats. An avid runner, Jane has tested and reviewed fitness products for the past five years, so knows what to look for when finding a good running watch or a pair of shorts with pockets big enough for your smartphone. When she's not pounding the pavements, you'll find Jane striding round the Surrey Hills, taking far too many photos of her puppy. 

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.