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Go For a Beer Run
Beer runners earn their beer. Hash Clubs are beer themed running clubs, and bars and breweries around the world are adopting the #beerrun trend. The largest beer running club we know of is Denmark's Mikkeller Running Club, which has chapters across the world including Chicago.
Hash House Harriers has several regional groups that operate under the slogan 'a drinking group with a running problem. Hashing is a tradition brought over from the British Empire, inspired the game of Hare and Hounds. The group operates on these four pillars:
To promote physical fitness among our members.
To get rid of weekend hangovers.
To acquire a good thirst and satisfy it with beer.
To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel.
For those wanting to train for something, the BeerFit running series is a multi-location event (including Chicago) with a 5k and a 'Brew Mile.' 5k participants earn their beer first and consume it second, while brew milers have beer before and after their mile. BeerFit raises money for Water.org, and organization founded by Gary White and Matt Damon that provides access to safe water in hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America.
The Beer Mile is an entirely different animal. Unlike beer running clubs, where participants meet up for a leisurely run and catch up over a pint when the run is OVER, Beer Mile contestants must chug several beers throughout the competitive mile-long race. An 'official' Beer Mile involves drinking 4 beers and running one mile (chug a beer, run a quarter mile, repeat until you're done). Are you up for the challenge? BeerMile has aggregated a list of races around the world as well as the current record holders. This beer run is a beer sprint, and anyone who can't keep their beer down is disqualified. Check out this record-breaking performance from the annual beer mile race in the U.K.
The Beer Mile: Not for the faint of heart, nor the fearful of farts.
Other Types of Running Clubs
While beer miles are the most common beverage and running pairing around, you might also find running clubs at juice bars, crossfit clubs, and as part of a race team. Lenny Boy Brewing in Charlotte, North Carolina meets for weekly runs followed by a pint of Kombucha.
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HIGHLIGHTS BY STATE
Colorado
Alpine Dog Brewing, Denver, running club Tuesdays 6pm, no RSVP required, run around Cheesman Park followed by beers
Factotum Brewhouse, Denver, The Sunnyside Run Club meets at Factotum every Tuesday starting at 6pm. The routes vary from week-to-week (route maps can be found on the club’s Facebook page) but they’re always between three and four miles.
Florida
World of Beer Westchase, Tampa, running club Tuesdays 6:30pm
North Carolina
Sycamore Brewing, Charlotte
Heist Brewery, Charlotte, running club meets Mondays at 6/6:30pm and has 1/3/5 mile options
Triple C Brewing Company, Charlotte, running club meets Thursdays at 6:30pm
NoDa Brewing Company, Charlotte, running club meets Thursdays at 6:30pm with 1/3/5 mile route options
Lenny Boy Brewing, Charlotte, running club meets at 12pm Sundays, dogs allowed, 1/3/4 mile routes, includes free 6oz kombucha
Utah
Ogden Pub Runners, meet weekly when in season and sponsor local events in the Ogden/Salt Lake Valley area
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