Let me just start by saying Running Dad in no way promotes the consumption of alcohol or alcohol abuse. Please drink (and run) responsibly.

With that said, what better way to spend a balmy New Years Day than by running circles around the Heavner abode while chugging delicious beer from Escutcheon Brewering?

This year marked the third annual Winchester Beer Mile. Brainchild of Vern Heavner, the Winchester Beer mile has grown over the years. Year one, 2015, drew 19 participants between the alcohol and non-alcohol divisions. The second running boasted over 30 runners. This year drew around 40 fun-loving souls to the rural race setting. See, most beer miles are run on a track. But after failing at securing a track to facilitate the race, Vern turned the perimeter of his 5 acre property into a quarter mile loop fit for a beer mile. Who cares if it is not a perfect oval. Who cares if there are a few dips and hills? So what if it is on grass and not a fancy rubberized track? That’s a problem solver right there! Cheers to Vern!

Master of Ceremonies and Race Director – Vern Heavner

I love beer. I drink a whole lot less of it than I did during my Pre-Running Dad days. The Fat Dad days. Nowadays, my beer drinking is done in moderation on weekends or special occasions – like a beer mile! You can, on occasion, find me on a Friday or Saturday evening, barring any soccer or basketball game that my sons may have, at the local brewery – Escutcheon. My wife and I are big fans of their beer. When they stepped up to sponsor the Beer Mile, I was beyond excited. Two of my favorite things! Escutcheon beer and running! The past two years it was BYOB or cans of Budweiser or PBR. Escutcheon Lager was a welcome change.

Don’t know what a beer mile is? Here is the gist:

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 forth 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.

In 2015, I ran the beer mile in 9:35 (http://www.runningdad.com/30-past-races/the-first-annual-winchester-beer-mile-it-went-down-new-years-day-but-would-it-stay-down/). That was good enough to win the inaugural event. The second year, I threw down a solid 8:56 (without throwing up), once again securing the top spot and another year of bragging rights. How would I fare in 2017?

8:33! Boom! Three-peat!

Please enjoy the photos below. My lovely wife, Jen, was the honorary “vomitographer” and captured the essence of the event.