Downing a craft beer, four of 'em, and then running? Not my thing.
Whose thing would that be, right?
But after chatting with Brew Mile co-founder Marc Hodulich — who's set to bring the one-mile imbibe-'n'-race to Bright House Field at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 — apparently, runs like this are an underground sensation.
He says running clubs and track-team collegiates have participated in the sport for years, adding that he did so with his university's track team.
Beer-milers drink a brew, run a little and repeat the act three more times until they complete a mile.
"I was always fascinated by it," Hodulich says.
According to him, there's a "big marriage" between suds and running (it's common for runners to congregate post-race over a cold one). But Brew Mile isn't a serious competition. It's more of a celebration of craft beer, a twist on the original beer-mile runs.
Although I'm among those who're certain "beer and running are an unholy marriage that may spawn the antichrist in their stomachs," as Hodulich and co. describe on Brew Mile's website, I'm intrigued.
"It's really about local craft breweries," Hodulich says, "And the community."
Atlanta hosted the inaugural Brew Mile last May. It hasn't happened in the Bay area before. Hodulich says the event will include live music, an open bar and drinking games like jumbo jenga and cornhole.
Beer-milers will chug four kinds of Cigar City Brewing beers throughout the run, which kicks off around 8, and are encouraged to coordinate team outfits. Winners of the Best Team Costume and Best Team Name contests will be awarded.
Teams don't have a member limit, and the three largest groups will snag a Cigar City keg.
Hodulich says beer-milers' safety is "heavily embedded in the event." Brew Mile partnered with Lyft and the Brew Bus to provide drinkers with rides home. During registration, naming a designated driver is required.
I mention to Hodulich that the site says beer-milers will be "gettin' weird," a number of times, and ask what the phrase means to him. He says it involves people leaving their comfort zones, and that getting weird is about enjoying life.
So, yeah. This reporter plans to do the run while trying not to hurl.
I need to start training, like, now, according to Hodulich. He suggests I drink different styles of beer in one sitting, or practice chugging and jogging in place. Thanks, man.
Interested beer-milers should use the promo code BADNEWSBEERS for 20 percent off tickets. And if you're feeling victorious, join my team, The Conquichetadors, when signing up.
This article appears in Oct 2-8, 2014.
