Happy's 5000 and Beer Mile

The Happy’s Running Club (HRC) Happy’s 5000 is back! Once again, we are raising money for Keep Tiger Town Beautiful. These Litter Warriors are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the beauty of Baton Rouge! They keep our streets clean and safe for runners!

The Happy’s 5000 is a family fun event to celebrate running, camaraderie, and Baton Rouge! After the fast 5K, run or watch the highly competitive Beer Mile and festive costume contest! Then, enjoy some southern cooking and tasty beverages! Whether you are a runner, walker, jogger or wogger, support this locally loved race!

5K route: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5911250608/

Beer mile route: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5911080763

EVENT DETAILS: 

Date: 18 July 2026

Time:

5:00 pm 5K

6:15 pm Beer mile - Competitive heat

6:30 pm Beer Mile - Non-Competitive heat and costume contest beer mile

Place: Starts in Town Square. See routes below.

Prizes for Participants: The first 250 people who sign up for the 5000 will receive a BAW tank top. 

Prizes for Top Runners: Great prizes for the top ten Male and top ten Female 5K finishers. Overall Male and Female will also receive a prize. Prizes will also be given to top finisher over 70 and over 80. Top Male and top Female beer mile competitive runner and individual and group costume contest in the non-competitive heat will also receive a prize.  

PACKET PICKUP: TBA

EARLY REGISTRATION OPTIONS:

HRC Member

5K - $35

5K and Beer mile - $60

Beer mile only - $30

Non HRC member 

5K - $45

5K and Beer mile - $65

HRC membership and 5K race - $70

Beer mile only - $30

REGULAR REGISTRATION PRICING: (After 13 July 2026)

HRC Member

5K - $45

5K and Beer mile - $70

Beer mile only - $35

Non HRC member 

5K - $55

5K and Beer mile - $75

HRC membership and 5K race - $80

Beer mile only - $35

Registration closes on Saturday, 18 July  2026 at 4pm. 

CANCELLATION POLICY

Happy’s 5000 5K and beer mile fees are non-refundable & entries are non-transferable. Once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate for any reason whatsoever, you shall not give or sell your bib number to anyone else, and you shall not transfer your entry fee to a future race. In the event that the Happy’s 5000 5K and beer mile is postponed or canceled by the Organizer or by order or request of any court, the city, parish, state or federal government for any reason whatsoever, including but not limited to any fortuitous event, then the Happy’s 5000 fees remain non-refundable.

Sponsors and Volunteers:

Interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteer for this HRC event? Email Juliet Brophy at Juliet.brophy@gmail.com

RACE RULES

5K and Beer mile rules:

For the safety of all participants, and for insurance reasons: Baby joggers or strollers are not allowed in the 5K race or beer mile. No dogs in the race or the start/finish area. No participants with leg or foot casts. No exceptions to above rules.

Beer mile specific rules:  

Two heats will take place: a competitive heat and non-competitive/costume heat for the beer mile.

Each competitor drinks four cans or bottles of beer and runs four laps around the course (start with chugging a beer, then run a lap, then beer, then lap, then beer, then lap, then beer, then lap - finish).

Beer must be consumed within the transition area before the lap begins.  
The race begins with competitors lined up on the mile starting line, drinking the first beer in the transition zone described in the step above. This ensures competitors cover a complete mile. Competitors can walk/move in the transition area while drinking, but all beer must be consumed in the transition area before setting off to run a lap.
Each beer can/bottle must not be opened until the competitor enters the transition zone on each lap.
Competitors who vomit before they finish the race must complete one penalty lap at the end of the race (immediately after the completion of their 4th lap). Vomiting more than once during the race still only requires one penalty lap at the end.
Empty beer vessel must be tipped over participant head after each chug to verify an empty vessel.
 

Costume contest rules:

There will be an individual racer costume contest and a group costume contest. All participants must be registered and participate in the beer mile to win.  

Join fellow runners on July 18, 2026 for the Happy's 5000 and Beer Mile. It's a fantastic 5K, 1.6K featuring a flat and fast course in Baton Rouge.