Beer Mile...

On Sunday, Jan. 10., a total of 14 brave runners went out to experience the ups and downs of the famous beermile event. The rules are in short: drink a can of beer, run 400m and do this 4 times. Since the Mile is 9 m longer than 4x400m, the first leg is actually 409m long.

The race was held in Yoyogi park on a flat 400m round course. Since the course is a little longer, we had two tables and the runners had to run out and back. We started the race at 11 am. In the first group, Satohi was unchallenged by the men running with here. She finished in a superb time of 8:46. Congratulations to this time which puts you on 35. place worldwide!

The second group showed a very competitive field. For the first 800m Steve showed a great performance and stayed a few glups and meters ahead of Chad. But Chad, this young and energetic Triathlete snatched the lead from Steve with less than 400m to go. I stayed well behind these animals :-). Barry, a beer veteran from the US who even changed his flight schedule to attend this glorious event, finished in remarkable 12:51. This time saved him the win in the M+50 age group. Well, a few runners earned a penalty lap for (ahem., well, read the rules and you'll know). Enjoy a few of the hundreds of photos taken.

The results are:

Men:
1. Chad (M30) 7:42
2. Steve (M40) 8:06
3. Joachim (M40) 9:38
4. Chiba (M40) 10.47
5. Tako Oguchi 11.45
6. Robert 11:54
7. James 11:56
8. Motozo (M40) 12:31
9. Barry (M50+) 12:51
10. Jay 13:12
11. Ahima 13:59

Women:
1. Satohi 8:46 (new Japanese Record (!) )
2. Mary 24:05 (1 penalty lap)

3. Kiki Tanaka 24:21 (1 penalty lap)

Results have been uploaded to the beermile webpage and are pending official approval. And one more thing: the Third Japan Beer Mile is scheduled for June 6, 2009. Don't miss this event.