Beer Mile Basics: Drink, Run, Repeat

The Beer Mile is a drinking race that combines running and speed drinking. The race takes place on a standard 400-metre or quarter-mile running track. Competitors must drink four 12-US-fluid-ounce (355 ml) beers and run four laps around the track, consuming each beer before beginning the next lap. The race begins at the one-mile starting line, and competitors must finish four laps and four beers to complete the race. The current world record holder is Canadian Corey Bellemore, who set a time of 4:28.1 in 2021. The Beer Mile has gained popularity as a quirky and challenging competition, with participants aiming to finish the race as quickly as possible without vomiting.

Competitors must drink four beers

The beer must be consumed before each lap begins, within a designated transition area. This is usually a 9-metre zone between the starting line for a mile race and the finish line of a 400-metre track. Competitors can move around within this transition area while drinking, but all beer must be consumed before they begin the next lap. It is important to note that competitors are not allowed to tamper with the cans or bottles in any way, for example, by puncturing the can or using a straw. The only action permitted is opening the can with the tab or twisting off the bottle cap.

Additionally, each beer can or bottle must not be opened until the competitor enters the transition zone at the beginning of each lap. This means that competitors cannot open all four beers at once or prepare them in any way before the race begins.

To ensure the race is completed fairly and officially, competitors who vomit before finishing must complete a penalty lap at the end of the race. This is a measure to deter cheating and ensure that all participants follow the rules and consume the required amount of beer.

Each beer must be at least 355ml and 5% ABV

The beer mile is a race that combines running and speed drinking. It takes place on a standard 400-metre or quarter-mile running track. The race begins with the consumption of a beer, followed by a full lap around the track. This sequence is repeated for three more laps, totalling four laps and four beers.

Each beer must be at least 355ml (12 US fluid ounces) in volume, which is the standard can/bottle size in the USA and some other countries. This ensures that all competitors are on a level playing field. Drinking from specialised cans or bottles that provide an advantage, such as wide-mouth containers, is not permitted. The beer cans or bottles must not be tampered with in any way, and the only action allowed is opening the can with the tab or twisting off the bottle cap.

The beer used must be a minimum of 5% alcohol by volume (ABV). Hard ciders, hard sodas, and other alcoholic sugary drinks are not permitted. The beer must be a fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from malted cereal grains and flavoured with hops. This ensures that the drink conforms to the traditional definition of "beer" and provides a standard for the competition.

Competitors must be careful not to vomit during the race, as this will result in a penalty lap at the end. The penalty lap is an additional 400-metre lap that must be completed immediately after the fourth and final lap. This rule adds a layer of challenge to the competition, as drinking four beers and running four laps can be difficult enough on its own.

The beer mile has a set of official rules published by BeerMile.com, which help to standardise the competition and provide a framework for participants. These rules ensure fairness and consistency, allowing for the recognition of official records and the organisation of championships.

Beer must be consumed in the transition area before each lap

The beer mile is a race that combines running and speed drinking. It takes place on a standard 400-metre running track. The race rules are simple: drink four beers and run four laps, in alternating fashion, as quickly as you can.

The transition area is the 9-metre zone between the waterfall starting line for a mile race and the finish line of a 400-metre track. Beer must be consumed before the lap begins within this transition area. Competitors can walk or move in the transition area while drinking, but all beer must be consumed before setting off to run a lap.

Each beer must be a minimum of 355ml (12 US fluid ounces) in volume, and no less than 5% alcohol by volume. No specialised cans or bottles may be used that give an advantage by allowing the beer to pour at a faster rate (e.g. wide-mouth bottles or cans). The beer cans must not be tampered with in any manner (e.g. no shotgunning, puncturing the can, or squeezing the can). The same rules apply for bottles – no straws or other aids are allowed that speed up the pouring process. The only action permitted is opening the can with the tab at the top or twisting off the bottle cap.

Each beer can or bottle must not be opened until the competitor enters the transition zone on each lap. Competitors who vomit before they finish the race must complete a penalty lap at the end of the race.

Competitors who vomit must complete a penalty lap

The Beer Mile is a competition that combines running and speed drinking. The race takes place on a standard 400-metre or quarter-mile running track. The rules are simple: drink a beer, run a lap, drink a beer, run a lap, and so on, for four laps and four beers. The race begins at the mile starting line with the consumption of the first beer, and competitors must finish with their fourth lap after drinking their fourth beer.

Competitors who vomit at any point during the race must complete a penalty lap at the end of the race, immediately after their fourth lap. This is true even if a competitor vomits multiple times; they only need to complete one penalty lap. The penalty lap is an extra lap around the track, bringing the total distance run to 5 laps, or 1.25 miles.

The penalty lap is designed to deter competitors from vomiting, which can give them an unfair advantage by allowing them to expel some of the beer from their stomachs and make room for more beer. By requiring a penalty lap, the rules ensure that competitors who vomit must run an extra distance, potentially slowing them down and offsetting any advantage gained from vomiting.

The penalty lap also adds an element of strategy to the race. Competitors who feel nauseous may choose to slow down their running pace or try to control their breathing and burp to avoid vomiting and having to complete the extra lap. However, if a competitor knows they will not be able to finish the race without vomiting, they may choose to vomit strategically, perhaps after finishing their third lap, to get the penalty lap out of the way before their final lap.

The Beer Mile is a challenging and unique competition that tests both physical endurance and drinking ability. The penalty lap is an important rule that helps to maintain the integrity of the race and ensure a level playing field for all competitors.

The race takes place on a standard 400m track

Each competitor must drink four 355ml beers, which are typically consumed from a can or bottle. The beer must be a minimum of 5% alcohol by volume and must be a fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from malted cereal grains and flavoured with hops. No specialised cans or bottles may be used to give an advantage in terms of speed of pouring. For example, wide-mouth bottles or cans are not permitted. Similarly, competitors must not tamper with the cans or bottles in any way, for example, by puncturing the can or using a straw. The only action permitted is opening the can with the tab or twisting off the bottle cap.

After drinking the first beer in the transition zone, competitors then run one lap of the track before drinking another beer in the transition zone. This process is repeated until four laps of the track have been completed, along with the consumption of four beers. Therefore, the race combines running one mile with drinking four beers.

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