SingleSpeed is a staple in the Cedar Valley. Whether you're heading over to try out a locally brewed beer, eating food, or checking out live music, there's something for everyone at the Waterloo and Cedar Falls locations.

Now, the brewery is embracing its tie to the fitness community and biking once again by taking to the streets of Waterloo with what might be the most challenging annual tradition in northeast Iowa: The Beer Mile.

If you haven't heard of SingleSpeed's Beer Mile or don't even know what a beer mile is, we've got you covered.

A beer mile is a race where competitors drink four twelve-ounce beers between running a quarter of a mile.

In other words: chug a beer, run lap. Chug a beer, run a lap. Chug a beer, run a lap. Chug a beer, run a lap.

As you'll see below, the event isn't unique to the Cedar Valley. For a stretch of three years, the media company FloSports and one of its affiliates FloTrack put on an annual race (yes, I watched it live when I once upon a time had the $140 yearly subscription, of which my father paid for).

Since FloTrack's event was discontinued in 2017, the Beer Mile World Classic is now the premier event. In 2021, Canadian Corey Bellmore ran the world record of 4 minutes and 28 seconds. For a frame of reference, Healthline says this about the typical person running a single mile: "A noncompetitive, relatively in-shape runner usually completes one mile in about 9 to 10 minutes, on average. If you’re new to running, you might run one mile in closer to 12 to 15 minutes as you build up endurance."

Anywho, the SingleSpeed event will take place on Saturday, June 11 outside the Waterloo location. Registration is currently open on Race Roster (all other race information is there as well) and closes the day of the race. The registration fee is $30 per person.

You can run all on your own, or put together a relay team to compete. There will be separate waves of groups running the event organized by speed.

Assuming everyone who runs the race survives (sarcasm), there will be an afterparty held with "Entertainment TBA, but you know we won't let you down," according to the race site.

It added that "Post-race will be a special Gable beer brat by HyVee, served with kettle chips. Racers will have a ticket to redeem for one dinner included in race packet."

Here are the prizes for winners in each category:

  • Overall Male & Overall Female will receive a 6-pk of Beer Mile beer + TBD
  • Top Male & Top Female in Age Groups: 21-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 & Over will receive a 6-pk of Beer Mile beer + Gift Cards to SingleSpeed Brewing (Waterloo)
  • Top Relay Team will receive a voucher for reserved party tables in the Waterloo Taproom and free beer to party!
  • Costume Awards for Best Dressed Team/Ensemble, Best Dressed Male, and Best Dressed Female will receive Beer Mile beer 6pks + Gift Cards

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