You may have a regional, state, national or even Olympic medal but, let’s face it, none of us are good enough to have a can of beer at the start of each lap of a 4-lap (mile) race and then finish in less than 4:30. But that was the target set by Canadian Bellemore in last year’s event (2021, non-can).
On October 15th, 2022, athletes from over 13 countries (does that mean 14 countries?) converged on Leuven, Belgium for the 8th edition of the annual race. This year saw a return to the original can-based format, thus ensuring a good chance of a world’s best time in this particular version of the event.
The race format is similar to a triathlete’s brick workout of run-bike-run-bike except the beer mile is drink-run-drink-run-drink-run-drink-run. Chundering is really frowned upon by the event’s strict rules, requiring the chunderer to complete an extra 400m lap…ouch
Sports tech is permitted. As you can see in the videos below several runners rely on the Garmin multisport watches and a few are seen to waste a few valuable seconds pressing the lap button as they transition from run-to-drink. Some of the ladies benefitted from a much wiser choice of tech with their Apple Watches, the reasoning there was that Apple watches feature auto-transition detection, Military grade durability against acid, as well as auto-chunder detection.
Anyway, nonsense aside, Corey Bellemore and Melanie Pozdol are the newly-crowned World champions as the event returns to the original can-format. But don’t be fooled into thinking that a can makes drinking beer that much easier than drinking from a glass, there was still plenty of chundering in this week’s hectic (and somewhat disgusting!) races.
Just click on either of the event videos if you want to see the many weird and wonderful ways that you can be sick whilst running or how you can stop running to be sick and then run again. Particularly check out the ladies’ race and give your opinion on the disqualification of Elizabeth Laseter who crossed the line first before receiving a DQ.
Nice work guys. I think.
- Bellemore (4:49.70…can assisted)
- Laseter (6:41…can assisted)
Last Updated on 26 January 2026 by the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red light therapy for niggles. It works.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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Written by real people, with AI assistance. Fact-checked and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
