Lance Armstrong fails Beer Mile

Disgraced former cyclist Lance Armstrong, taking part in a training session ahead of the Beer Mile World Championship, dropped out after a single lap.

Lance Armstrong, centre, running in the 2008 Boston Marathon. See below for video of the failed Beer Mile attempt (Photo: Flickr)

Hype for the inaugural Flo Beer Mile World Championship is picking up, as athletic beer fans begin flocking to Texas to train ahead of the competition that begins in two weeks time.

As videos of record-breaking running-mums go viral, some famous faces have started appearing at what is now being seen as the Mecca for the fledgling sport: the Yellow Jacket Stadium in Austin, where the World Championships will be held on 3 December.

However, one recent visitor is more infamous than famous: drug-cheat cyclist Lance Armstrong.

The Beer Mile is a running race with a twist: competitors have to chug an entire can of beer, without spillages, between each of four 400m laps.

Armstrong, hoping to set a good time in the ‘Super Masters’ (40+) category – the world record for which currently standing at 5:51 – appeared at a practise session alongside several novices to the sport on Sunday, November 8.

All of them managed to complete the race in times ranging from six-to-eight minutes – all except Armstrong, who lagged well behind from the start, and then failed to make it past a single lap.

Former All-American runner for Texas University, Jake Morse, who finished second in the time trial in 7:45, told Texas Running Post, “[Armstrong] drank Budweiser heavy from a 12 ounce can, no widemouth, following strict international beer mile standards. Perhaps his days with Michelob Ultra Lite put him at a disadvantage.

“He’s probably on his way to a gas station getting some Budweiser right now and practising his chugging. He’s a competitor. I hope to see him out there again.”