Nothing makes a race more satisfying than a pint of fresh craft beer waiting for you at the finish line. Here are six of our favorite beer races.
Race the Bar Race Series
May 18 • Greensboro, N.C.
If drinking and running sounds like your kind of combo, check out this new running race series in the North Carolina Triad. All races start and end at notable bars, so you can earn your buzz with distances between 5K and 15K. If you need extra motivation, each racer who crosses the finish line gets two free beers. Call it bonus carb replacement. The next race features both a 5K and 8K, starting from the Lindley Park Filling Station. Additional series races will take place in the fall at Natty Greene’s Brewing Co. on Greensboro (September 21) and Foothills Brewing in Winston-Salem (November 9).
racethebar.com
Tour de Fat
June 15 • Durham, N.C.
New Belgium Brewery’s traveling celebration of bike culture will make its way through the South and Mid-Atlantic this summer. The events kick off with a bike parade and then move into the long Afternoon Ballyhoo, which features a bike circus and rodeo, cycling games, live music, and the expected imbibing of mass quantities of Fat Tire and other amazing microbrews. Tour de Fat will also take place in Washington, D.C. (June 1) and Nashville (June 22).
newbelgium.com
Beer and Gear Fest
June 15 • Ohiopyle, Pa.
While not a race, the Beer and Gear Fest is a fun combination of a beer festival and outdoor gear expo. Sample the offerings of a huge roster of craft breweries while you check out the latest and greatest gear from industry faves like Prana, Outdoor Research, and Wave Sport Kayak. Since the event is hosted by river guide Wilderness Voyageurs, take the chance to jump in a whitewater rafting trip on the Lower Yough or Savage Rivers.
wilderness-voyageurs.com
Dogfish Dash 5K/10K
September 29 • Milton, Del.
Dogfish Head’s delicious craft offerings are beloved by microbrew aficionados across the country. If you want to get a taste of the brewery’s freshest offerings and a little exercise at the same time, travel to their main outpost in the early fall and run the Dogfish Dash. The field of 1,750 runs a fun course through the historic small town of Milton before enjoying post-race libations like the epic 120 Minute IPA, brewery tours, live tunes, and good eats.
dogfishdash.dogfish.com
Blue Ridge Burn 10K/5K
October 12 • Roseland, Va.
Devils Backbone Brewing Co. sits at the base of Wintergreen Resort—surrounded by a vast expanse of mountainous terrain in Nelson County, Va. The brewery owner has recently given the green light for trail expansion on his property, which surrounds a taproom that serves award-winning beers like Gold Leaf Lager and Wintergreen Weiss. Now branded as Devils Playground, the land surrounding the craft brewery station is being prepped to host a range of trail running and mountain bike events, including the Burn, a longstanding Central Virginia 10K/5K that’s (get ready for shameless plug) organized by BRO. The race is now part of the Festy Experience, a three-day music festival held at Devils Backbone that’s anchored by host band the Infamous Stringdusters.
dbplayground.com
Hangover 5K
October 13 • Salisbury, Md.
This 5K is a great way to shake off the foggy morning that you’ll inevitably be experiencing from enjoying the race’s main event—the two-day Good Beer Festival (October 12-13) at the idyllic surroundings of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The race—which starts at a drinker-friendly 11:30am on Sunday—takes runners through the forests and along the wetlands of Pemberton Park. The second day of the festival starts right after the race, so runners won’t have to wait long to replace some calories.
goodbeerfestival.com
Check out the rest of our Southern Brew Guide!
