5 Tips to Ace Your Next Beer Mile

Man with check.

Maybe you've enjoyed a celebratory drink after crossing a finish line, but have you ever drank a beer while running?

That's the idea behind the Beer Mile, where runners drink a 12-ounce beer every quarter of a mile, crossing the finish line with four beers consumed in all. It's become such a phenomenon, there's now a Beer Mile World Championship, and a new winner and world-record holder has been crowned

Brooks Canada runner Lewis Kent struck gold at Monday's Flotrack Beer Mile World Championships, dropping his own previous record of 4:51.9 to 4:47.17.

He even guzzled each of his four beers in less than nine seconds, drinking the first beer, his fastest, in only 5.35 seconds. 

You may never need to drink a beer that fast, but if you're looking to spice up your racing routine and try some type of beer race, Kent has great advice on how to drink on the run. 

Here's how he won his title.
    
1. Hold Your Breath
 
Take a deep breath right before you place the bottle or can to your lips. Whatever you do, make sure to not breathe in any air while chugging.

2. Let it Flow Straight Down or Take Large Gulps

If you haven't yet mastered the ability to let the beer flow continuously, swallow in large gulps. You only want to swallow once you've reached the maximum amount you can hold at the back of your mouth.

3. Don't Slow Down to Taste the Beer 

You're pouring the beer into your mouth, not drinking it to savor it.

4. Suppress the Urge to Gag

Clutch the thumb of your non-dominant hand. If you're right-handed, clutch your left thumb with your index finger while you drink.

5. Drink with Your Left Hand

Holding the cup or bottle in your left hand means you have your right hand free to high-five your buddies after you down that beer like a champ.

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About the Author

Jackie Veling

Jackie Veling is a past Senior Editor at ACTIVE.com. She’s passionate about overall wellness and body positivity, and her favorite way to stay active is through running. You can follow her on Twitter.

Jackie Veling is a past Senior Editor at ACTIVE.com. She’s passionate about overall wellness and body positivity, and her favorite way to stay active is through running. You can follow her on Twitter.

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