The “New Me” and “Old Me” will clash in a showdown of skill and will on New Year’s Day. It will be a showdown of epic proportions. Which tolerance will prevail?
Conversation of a Winchester Beer Mile had been going on for a while. The logistics were the main obstacle. Finding a venue that has a quarter mile loop and allows alcohol on the premises posed a challenge. School tracks strictly prohibit alcoholic beverages. But, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Enter Vern Heavner, President of the Shenandoah Valley Runners. I had posted a video to the Running Dad Facebook page of the Beer Mile Championship (watch video) that was held in Austin, Texas this year. I commented that Winchester needed a Beer Mile. The following day, an event invite showed up in my inbox from Vern. The first Annual Winchester Beer Mile will be held January 1, 2015.
Vern circumvented the previously mentioned obstacles by using his property as the race course. The perimeter of his land is roughly a quarter of a mile. The course is flat and will combine grass, gravel and pavement. And beer. And it is chip timed. What more could you ask for?
WHAT IS A BEER MILE?
A Beer mile is a drinking game combining running and speed drinking. The event takes place on a 1/4 mile running course. The race begins at the starting line with the consumption of a standard 12oz beer, followed by a full lap around the course. The second lap continues in a similar manner; another 12oz beer is consumed before commencing the running of the second lap. This process is repeated for the next two laps. Following the completion of the fourth running lap (and four beers), a competitor has finished the race. 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: Not required to drink an additional beer on the penalty lap. Also vomitting more than once during the race still requires only one penalty lap at the end.
RULES:
– Participants must be 21 or older
– Must have a Designated Driver, or stay and sober up before driving
– No other rules! No experience necessary! All abilities welcome!
For some reason, I am feeling a bit nervous about this race. The mile of running part is easy. The 4 beers, not so much. Will I puke? Will I have to drop out halfway through because I don’t feel well? The “Old Me” would have chugged the 4 beers with ease and struggled with the mile. This “New Me” only drinks a beer or two a week – if that – and runs over fifty miles. What a contrast! It is going to be an interesting and fun challenge!
