Introducing The Beer Mile

James Nielsen, of Novato, California, boasts some impressive running credentials. At the University of California San Diego, the 34-year-old Bay Area native and father of two was a two-time NCAA champion in the 5,000 meters. In 2007, he won the Eugene Marathon and qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, finishing 50th in New York.

But no record has sparked the kind of attention than the one Nielsen set on Sunday, April 27, when he broke the world record and set the first sub-five-minute time in the beer mile, a perhaps less prestigious (although still extraordinary) feat of athleticism in which a competitor must finish a 12-ounce beer before each of the four laps on a 400-meter track, with penalties for throwing up.

With a time of 4:57.1, Nielsen’s name is now atop the standings at BeerMile.com, which is viewed in the running community as the authority on the event.

James Nielson I am impressed. I usually don't get a hard on for running feats. It's the ultimate look at me kind of thing. But honestly I'd think it would be easier to run a marathon than to chug 4 beers and run a mile in under 5 minutes. I seriously doubt I could even chug 4 beers in under 5 minutes. Nevermind the mile part. Like how is this even possible? Was he averaging less than 15 seconds a beer and running a sub 4 minute mile? That's fucking insane. I'd be puking be turn 3, gauranteed. Pounding a beer and running is no different than shaking it up in the can. Projectile Puke City.

This beer mile sounds like a drinking game a bunch of track and field bros in college made up, right? And now people are taking it seriously I guess? Penalties for puking... haha. Reminds me of a dice drinking game we made up while I was at UNH. Basically if you rolled 1 and a 3 the rule was you had to pound until you puked in the bush out in front of the house. I guess when you are track and field bro this is the type of stuff you think about? Just combining running with everything, jerking off, studying , drinking. To me there sounds like there is nothing worse than running with a stomach full of carbonated beer. Maybe that's the fun of it? I don't know I'm having trouble getting past the running part.