Surprised? Don’t be. There’s something about runners and beer. Run Wild Missoula‘s monthly beer runs regularly pull in 60 to 80 runners, even in the cold of winter. Big Sky Brewing Co. hands out a free beer to finishers of the Missoula half and full marathons. Beer themed races are popping up around the country. Draft Magazine features its own Beer Runner. After a few long training runs recently, a few of my fellow beer runners shared a growler around the tailgate of my truck.
But what is it? About runners and beer, that is. As I’ve said many times on Growler Fills, beer is inherently social. But running, not necessarily so. Could it be the principle of work/reward? That Friday-after-work-celebration-around-a-pint feeling?
I posed these questions to Run Wild Missoula’s Chancellor of Libations, Pat Cross, leader of the monthly beer runs. Pat shared his thoughts about why runners often look for a chance to meet up with other runners.
“I think running is inherently an individual sport and while we compete, or perform as individuals, I also think we seek to spend time with our fellow runners. Partly looking for acceptance from our peer group, but also, who else will listen to our running stories, questions about pace and heart rate and complaints about plantar fasciitis or IT band problems than other runners?”
He’s got a good point. Only my running friends feign interest in my running advice, questions, and “what the hell are we doing” outbursts during long runs. But what about beer? Here’s Pat’s thoughts:
“So we seek out opportunities to band together socially, enjoy each other’s victories and sorrows. And where better to do that than over a beer? Additionally I think beer is the beverage of choice due to the American culture of a well earned beer at the end of a hard days work, or to celebrate a hard earned accomplishment. We must also mention the carb content and cool refreshing qualities of a good beer. But I think the biggest reason runners are attracted to a post run beer is quite simple; nothing tastes better after a run than a good old beer.”
Fellow runner and beer explorer Thurston Elfstrom, winner of Run Wild Missoula’s Beer Run Slogan Contest (5 Miles to Beer: 30), sees it similarly:
“I think the connection between running and beer is largely associated with the idea of reward. Not that every beer I drink is a reward for running, or hard work – but certainly a recreational adult beverage is made that much more enjoyable when it is preceded by a little bit of work. The beauty of our club beer runs is that we get to share that sense of joy with our fellow runners.”
There you have it. Several good connections between running and beer and the first time I’ve ever seen the phrase “recreational adult beverage” used in a sentence. What’s your beer/running connection?
Want to check out all the action during the Missoula Marathon Weekend? Here’s the schedule of events. See the Missoula Marathon website for details.
- 6 p.m.: Beer Run- Tamarack Brewing
- 6 – 8 p.m.: Missoula 5K Packet Pickup- Tamarack Brewing
- 6:45 – 7:45 a.m.: Missoula 5K Packet Pickup- Double Tree Hotel
- 8 a.m.: Missoula 5K Start- Double Tree Hotel
- 9:30 a.m.: 5k Awards at Caras Park
- 10 a.m.: Missoula Kids Marathon
- 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Packet Pickup for Full, Half & Relay & Missoula Marathon Expo, Festival, live music, food & fun!
- 12 – 12:45 p.m.: Nutrition Talk at the Double Tree Hotel hosted by Kamut International
- 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Jeff Galloway Running School at Double Tree Hotel
- 5 – 9 p.m.: Late Packet Pickup – MSO Hub, 140 North Higgins Ave
- 4:20 a.m. – 5:20 a.m.: Half & Full bus pick up – Main Street
- 6 a.m.: Start! Full Marathon- Mullan Rd, Frenchtown
- 6 a.m.: Start! Half Marathon- Alpine PT, Blue Mtn Rd, Missoula
- 10 a.m.: Half Marathon Awards Ceremony
- 11 a.m.: Relay Marathon Awards Ceremony
- 11:15 a.m.: Full Marathon Awards Ceremony
- 12:30 p.m.: Course Closed
