After Australian Josh Harris set the world record less than 24 hours earlier, Canadian Lewis Kent stepped up his Pilsner game and chugged his way to a brand new world record for what has become a cult achievement—the beer mile. According to beermile.com, the competition includes chugging 4 beers per each 400m track lap. For each lap, a 10m interval chugging space is alloted for the runners to down their beer and keep going. Sound easy? Think again.
The total amount of beer consumed in a Beer Mile is 48 oz… Just thinking about it makes me want to blow chunks on my high school track.
Not just that but if you do make that beer a rental (by returning it to the ground via barfing) you must complete an extra penalty lap for each expulsion of bodily fluids via the mouth.
Lewis’ new record time is 4:55.78. The previous record holder, Josh Harris’ time was 4:56.20. Cheers to new record holder.
Meb Keflezighi… What about the beer marathon?
Here are the Rules:
1. Each competitor drinks four cans of beer and runs four laps, ideally on a track (start – beer, then lap, then beer, then lap, then beer, then 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.
Remember: Guy Drinks 60 Beers and Pees His Way Out of an Avalanche
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 malted cereal grains 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. * It is strongly recommended, when attempting official records, to tip the empty beer can or bottle over your head at the end of a chug to verify an empty vessel.