On Saturday, about 300 people gathered at San Francisco's Treasure Island to take part in the inaugural Beer Mile World Classic, according to . Canadian Lewis Kent, who holds the world title in the event with a time of 4:55, took first place.聽He crossed the finish line in 5:09.
Participants must drink one 12-ounce beer before running each of the four laps around a 400-meter track.
鈥淭he event is about being ridiculous,鈥 26-year-old participant聽Seth Buchsbaum told the Chronicle. 鈥淚 wanted to embrace the spirit of this.”
Competitors from the highest levels of international track and field have taken part聽in previous beer miles, including NCAA Division III 5,000-meter champion James Nielsen, who was the first to run a beer mile in under five minutes, and 800-meter world silver medalist Nick Symmonds.