beer mile

Several of the world’s top Beer Milers from the States and Canada are travelling to Britain this July to compete in the world’s first international championship drinking race.

What started as a frat party challenge has evolved into a global phenomenon, attracting professional athletes and fun-runners worldwide. The Beer Mile consists of drinking a beer before running each lap of a mile on an athletics track, where a runner completes four beers and four laps in total. The 2015 Beer Mile World Classic in San Francisco was viewed more than 3.5 million times – more than any single day of the IAAF World Championship.

Until now, the sport has been predominately undertaken by Canadian and American athetes, and the the current world record of 4:47 is held by 23 year old Canadian Lewis Kent. British beer miler Andy Norman is determined to challenge this and “show the yanks a thing or two about downing pints.”

The Beer Mile World Classic championship, which will take place 31 July at Allianz Park, will host international elite teams from USA, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Scotland and Sweden. An all day beer and running festival will also be held where local running clubs, university teams and running enthusiasts can have a go at the beer mile or just enjoy an afternoon of craft brew, music, food and spectating.

“We are very proud to call London the host city of the 2016 World Classic,” said Katie Williams, one of the event organisers. Williams moved to London from San Francisco in 2014 and is dedicated to making this year’s race truly international. “We want everyone in the local community to be excited to participate in one form or another ­­ running, drinking, or betting on the championship race. For the record, my money’s on the Brits.”

Beer Mile 2016:

● 31 July, 2016 Allianz Park (Saracens Stadium – NW4 1PX)
● Nations fielding Elite Teams: USA, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Scotland, Sweden
● Expected number of participants (championship race, open races, relays): 300
● Expected number of spectators: 1,500

Get your tickets here!