In an impressive display of sprinting and chugging, a man named James Nielsen has broken the world record for the beer mile, a feat that involves running a mile around a track and drinking a 12-ounce can of beer, with a of minimum 5.0% ABV, before every 400-meter lap. (No vomiting allowed; full rules and regulations on beermile.com.)
Nielsen, who completed the world’s first sub-5-minute beer mile with a time of 4:57.1, says he spent a year training for the run, maximizing his fitness, studying the anatomy of the esophagus and upper sphincter, and learning about fluid dynamics and air displacement to be able to drink a 12-ounce can of beer in 4 - 5 seconds flat.
Feeling inspired? We’ve rounded up a few beer miles and beer-focused and brewery-sponsored races across the country.