The Best of Beer & Beverage Runs

Written by
Jennifer Walker
Peanut butter and jelly. Red wine and dark chocolate. Beer and? running? While most folks would cringe at the idea of knocking back a cold one before or during exercise, beer runs are brewing up all over the country, combining a love for suds with being social and active. And while running and beer drinking may not seem like a consummate combination, these events may just make you re-evaluate what constitutes the perfect pairing. What's your favorite beverage run? Let us know at @Active. Cheers!
The Brew Mile Runs
Multiple location and dates
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The concept is simple: a beer every quarter mile for one mile. Sound easy? Not quite. The race starts as you finish the infamous Brew Mile toast and sip that first beer. It ends four beers later with a heart-pounding sprint to beat time thresholds that raise money for charity partners. Think you can handle it? Sign up for a race near you.
Register
National Beer Mile Series
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The rules are simple: Four beers. One mile. As fast as you can without puking. Sound fun? If you said yes, you're not alone.
Though it may sound like something better suited for collegiate pastimes, the Beer Mile has grown up to attract serious runners, from Olympians to celebrities, and has garnered coverage in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and ESPN.
While rules can vary, the basic premise requires participants to drink a can of beer, run a quarter of a mile and repeat this three more times--ideally on a track. Beer must be consumed before each lap and must contain a minimum of 5 percent ABV.
Seemingly an overnight sensation, the Beer Mile can now be found in more than 35 cities, including Washington, D.C., Atlanta, San Francisco, Sacramento, Boston and Chicago. And if you're fast enough, you may even find yourself qualifying to compete at the championships (and yes, there is such a thing).
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Rocky Mountain Brew Runs
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When it comes to beer, there's a good chance Colorado, home to Coors Brewing, the Great American Beer Festival and more craft breweries per capita than any other state, comes to mind. And with some of the best breathtaking (literally) scenery in the country, completing a mile-high brew run is a bucket-list must.
A relative newbie to the beer run circuit, the Rocky Mountain Brew Run series offers 12 Colorado microbrewery tours each featuring a 5K run and "hoppy" post-run celebrations. All runners receive a beer of their choice, signature pint glass, mug or swag, and for those who commit to a "six-pack"(or more than six runs), a $20 discount off registration.
Honorable mention: Charitable entries for Rocky Mountain Brew Runs events are available: 100 percent of these entry fees go to Epic Experience, a nonprofit organization that offers outdoor adventure camp therapy for individuals fighting cancer.
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San Diego Beer Run
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Heralded as the "Craft Beer Capital of America," beer enthusiasts can expect to keep it classy in San Diego with the San Diego Beer Run. Returning for its fourth year, the event attracts up to 1,000 participants for a 5K run followed by a craft beer festival, tailgating games and team challenges, including Beer Olympics and a Beer Pong tournament. This year's event features a brand new course and a bigger, better craft beer festival that's open to the public.
Tempt your palate? The first two beers are on the house and all funds raised by the 2015 run will benefit Access Youth Academy, a nonprofit that transforms the lives of underserved youth. Entry to the festival is free for participants and everyone receives a free 12-ounce beer stein.
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Craft Brew Races
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For the craft brew connoisseur, check out Craft Brew Races--a timed 5K road race followed by a 3-hour post-race celebration and craft beer festival. The 2014 inaugural series alone featured more than 100 total American craft breweries and five New England-based events. Serious about your suds? There are awards for Largest Team, Fastest Team and Largest Brewery Team.
In 2015, the series features races around the country, including Cape Cod (Sept. 27), Charleston, S.C. (Nov. 7) and Austin (Dec. 5), and all beer is purchased direct from the breweries to support the local craft brewing industry.
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Hash Runs
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Hosted by local chapters of the Hash House Harriers, these runs are less "I want to win a race" and more "Let's go for a run where we drink a lot." The non-competitive events are perfect for those who don't care about placing or bragging about their finish time, but enjoy spending time with friends while drinking a few cold ones. This group is self-described as a "drinking club with a running problem," so there's no need to worry if you don't consider yourself a hard-core runner.
With many chapters hosting multiple events per week, there are countless opportunities to get your drink on after a hard (or easy) run. Hash run groups often include runners of varying speeds and experience levels, so all are welcome and encouraged to participate in most any scheduled hash run.
Chapters often schedule themed events around holidays, sporting events or cultural trends, making the event even more memorable - and ridiculous.
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Bonus: Destination Races Wine Country Half Marathon Series
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If you prefer grapes to grain, or a transcendent Pinot to a quaffable Merlot, you can get into the spirit, too! Don't miss the Wine Country Half Marathon Series consisting of eight races across some of the best wine regions around - including Santa Barbara, Napa to Sonoma and Oregon, to name a few.
Run, sip and savor one-of-a-kind on- and off-course experiences, including a post-race wine and music festival featuring regional food and wine finds. Having trouble deciding which destination race is right for you? The event website features a handy chart so you can easily compare scenic ratings, primary wine appellations and race highlights such as hot air balloons.
Need extra motivation? The top three finishers in each age category receive a bottle of wine. Now that's our kind of race.
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