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A Beer Mile champion, who broke his own record, came in first at the 2018 Beer Mile World Classic only to be disqualified for not drinking enough beer!
Here’s the deal…
On August 13th, Vancouver, Canada hosted the beer-fueled secret competition that combines serious running with chugging beer and draws fierce competitors from around the world, skilled at both.
According to Runner’s World “A traditional beer mile consists of four laps around a track, each preceded by the consumption of a 12-ounce can or bottle of beer of at least 5 percent alcohol. Runners may only drink while in the transition zone, and receive an extra lap as a penalty for vomiting.”
It’s true…this thing’s the real deal. And it attracts serious runners like Cory Bellemore who came in first at the 2018 Beer Mile Classic, only to be disqualified, along with two other runners with top-ten times, for not finishing his beer (a critical component of the race).
Tough news for Bellemore who appeared to have demolished his own world record (4:33) by nine seconds at this year’s event, only to see his moment of beer-drenched glory slip through his hands.
And this disqualification is not without its own degree of controversy…
A weak performance by ACB’s Tom Bobak at 2018 Beer Mile World Classic
In fact, Patrick Butler of beermile.com told Runner’s World that “the rule in question, which permits a maximum of four ounces left unconsumed, is a new one—so new, it’s not even on the official rules page!
Which begs the question, does Cory Bellemore have any recourse to contest the questionable disqualification that stripped him of title? After all, if the rule is a RULE shouldn’t it be on the OFFICIAL BEER MILE RULES page?
And there would probably be some kind of tribunal where Bellemore could argue his case, if these Beer Mile contests weren’t ‘run’ (pardon the pun, couldn’t help it), under the radar.
As RW explains, Beer Mile competitions are forced to ‘run’ (sorry) in secret “to avoid being prosecuted for violating open container laws, and are often organized clandestinely, with runners knowing where they’ll be only days before the race.”
