Beer Mile North American Classic Presented by Urban Chestnut Brewing Company

St. Louis is the home of beer. It runs deep in our history, our neighborhoods, and in the way we gather. And the STL running community? United, supportive, and proudly loud when it matters. Last summer, The STL Beer Mile on the track sparked something bigger, proving that this city, the Gateway to the West, is a hub for runners and beer lovers alike.

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, the inaugural Beer Mile North American Classic arrives at Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, bringing a full night of racing and a spectator experience you won’t want to miss! 

Manchester Avenue in The Grove will transform into our course for the evening, with cold Zwickel, and terrace built for spectating. Vendor Central will live in the Urban Chestnut parking lot with delicious eats from Grove favorites. Prime views line the course and the terrace above the Bierhall. 

Expect a fast, spectator-friendly 400m loop on Manchester Avenue with the chug zone at the center of the action on Newstead Ave. Runners head 200m west to Taylor Ave and back to the chug zone, then 200m east to Tower Grove Ave and back to the chug zone. That out-and-back loop repeats once more. 

You don’t have to race to be part of it! Grab a spot on the Urban Chestnut terrace for elevated views, or line Manchester Avenue and watch the races unfold beer by beer. Cheer on your friends in the open heats, and then stay for the main event. The Elite Heat closes the night. 25-30 of the fastest beer milers in North America. Prize money on the line for the Elites. Sub-5 min mile performances guaranteed. 

The Rules

• Each runner drinks 4 beers and runs 4 laps of a 400m course.
• Beers (minimum 12 oz / 355mL, ≥5.0% ABV) must be consumed in the transition zone before each lap.
• Cans cannot be opened before entering the zone.
• No shotgunning.
  

Schedule of Events

• 5:30 – 9:00 PM - Beer Mile races
  • 5:30 pm - 8 pm - Open heats
    • Individual Heats; 50 runners per heat. Heats will be assigned and communicated via email the week of the race. Heats are expected to take 20-30 minutes max from start to cleanup before the next heat begins. Heats every 30 minutes with a shorter duration expected in the final / faster heats.
    • 2-Person Relay Heats
      • 50 teams per heat (100 total athletes)
      • 50 competitors on course at a time
      • Runner 1 drinks the first 2 beers and completes the first 2 laps
      • Runner 2 drinks the final 2 beers and completes the last 2 laps
  • 8:30 pm - Elite heats, featuring 25-30 of the fastest beer milers in North America, to be announced in the coming weeks.
• 9:00 - Midnight - Afterparty
  • Live DJ all evening
  • Vendor Central in the UCBC parking lot with food from Grove favorites
  • Prime spectating from the terrace and along the course

Your Registration Includes

• Four 12oz cans of Urban Chestnut Zwickel (5.1% ABV)
• Koozie
• T-shirt, or opt out to save $5
  • T-shirt design coming soon! 
• Event merchandise will be for sale the evening of the event
• Non-alcoholic (NA) beer is available. If you plan to drink all 4 beers as NA, you must select the NA-only option during registration. If you’d like a mix, you can choose NA at any point during the race.
• Official timing by Big River Race Management
• Race photos

*Participants may not bring their own beer. Participants must show proof of identification (21+ years of age) at the time of packet pickup. 

Packet Pickup

Details coming soon! 

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Join fellow runners on July 11, 2026 for the Beer Mile North American Classic Presented by Urban Chestnut Brewing Company. It's a fantastic 1.6K featuring a flat and fast course in Saint Louis.