First of all, congratulations to all who participated. With a total of 37 runners (a record high), it is clear that the legacy of beer-miling will continue long into the future ? getting passed down for generations to come.
The conditions on race day were not for the weak of heart. There were quite literally white caps in lane one, as runners ran in ankle deep water, which turned to slush, which then turned to slush and barf. Outstanding.
Now for the results. Before explaining the outcome it is critically important that all understand that it is my duty, as an impartial judge, to maintain the integrity of the beer-mile event by upholding the Kingston Rules as set out by the governing body (beermile.com). As the results commissioner, my duty is not to make the rules, but rather to interpret them as fairly as possible.
There was an element of controversy that arose during the review that will affect the final results. Braeden Taylor, Casey Gergely, Oliver Gergely and Alex Bell all competed in what is known infamously as the ??Chunder Mile??, which consists of drinking a pint of 5% beer from a glass followed by a 400m run four times ? vomiting allowed. However, according to the governing body (beermile.com) the Chunder Mile which in full is called ??The Queen?s Chunder Mile?? requires that the participant drink an Imperial Pint of 5% beer from a glass followed by a 400m run, four times ? vomiting allowed.
The complication arises from the difference between an American pint (16oz) and an Imperial pint (20oz). The cans of Guiness from which the four abovementioned participants poured their drinks were 4oz short of the required amount, for a total of 16oz short over the period of the entire race ? meaning nearly an entire beer more should have been consumed.
Since the difference between a conventional can of beer (12.5oz) is only 3.5oz less than the American pint (16oz) the advantage of drinking an American pint out of a glass is too great to represent a fair and equitable playing field for all the participants.
As such Mr. Taylor?s time of 6:18 (which is 3 seconds faster than the provincial record of 6:21 set by Mike Booth in 2003) will not be recorded as an official provincial record, nor will any of the times of the other Chunder Milers stand. Corey Gallagher?s time of 6:19 will, however, be the new provincial record for the conventional beermile.
That being said, the bravery and valour of the Chunder Milers cannot go unnoticed, for they are a rare and peculiar breed. Therefore, in the spirit of the beermile, the final positioning still stands (but the times of the Chunder Milers will not be official).
Braden Taylor is your 2009 Manitoba Winter beermiling champion!
(ps. In all future races, official attempts at the Queen?s Chunder Mile will require full 20oz Imperial pints be consumed in order for the results to be official.)
The conditions on race day were not for the weak of heart. There were quite literally white caps in lane one, as runners ran in ankle deep water, which turned to slush, which then turned to slush and barf. Outstanding.
Now for the results. Before explaining the outcome it is critically important that all understand that it is my duty, as an impartial judge, to maintain the integrity of the beer-mile event by upholding the Kingston Rules as set out by the governing body (beermile.com). As the results commissioner, my duty is not to make the rules, but rather to interpret them as fairly as possible.
There was an element of controversy that arose during the review that will affect the final results. Braeden Taylor, Casey Gergely, Oliver Gergely and Alex Bell all competed in what is known infamously as the ??Chunder Mile??, which consists of drinking a pint of 5% beer from a glass followed by a 400m run four times ? vomiting allowed. However, according to the governing body (beermile.com) the Chunder Mile which in full is called ??The Queen?s Chunder Mile?? requires that the participant drink an Imperial Pint of 5% beer from a glass followed by a 400m run, four times ? vomiting allowed.
The complication arises from the difference between an American pint (16oz) and an Imperial pint (20oz). The cans of Guiness from which the four abovementioned participants poured their drinks were 4oz short of the required amount, for a total of 16oz short over the period of the entire race ? meaning nearly an entire beer more should have been consumed.
Since the difference between a conventional can of beer (12.5oz) is only 3.5oz less than the American pint (16oz) the advantage of drinking an American pint out of a glass is too great to represent a fair and equitable playing field for all the participants.
As such Mr. Taylor?s time of 6:18 (which is 3 seconds faster than the provincial record of 6:21 set by Mike Booth in 2003) will not be recorded as an official provincial record, nor will any of the times of the other Chunder Milers stand. Corey Gallagher?s time of 6:19 will, however, be the new provincial record for the conventional beermile.
That being said, the bravery and valour of the Chunder Milers cannot go unnoticed, for they are a rare and peculiar breed. Therefore, in the spirit of the beermile, the final positioning still stands (but the times of the Chunder Milers will not be official).
Braden Taylor is your 2009 Manitoba Winter beermiling champion!
(ps. In all future races, official attempts at the Queen?s Chunder Mile will require full 20oz Imperial pints be consumed in order for the results to be official.)