Results 2024

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What a race! What a day! What a Country! The 6th annual edition of the Grand Lake Beer Mile was a resounding success. Sure, the International Olympic Committee rejected our bid to host the summer Olympics at Grand Lake, and yes, they also refused to add the beer mile to the list of official Olympic track and field events, but that didn't dampen our Olympic spirit. And that didn't stop one runner from trying to break the beer mile world record.

Since GLBM started in 2019, there have only been two runners to win the Men's Division: Michael Mackelvie (2019, 2022) and Justin Mitchell (2020, 2021, 2023). Mackelvie held the course record (9:12) going into the 2024 race, but had his sights set on something higher. Something a bit more Grand, you could say. The world record. And what better year to do it? He was injury free for first time in years and the theme was Olympics. Mitchell wasn't attempting to break any records but desperately wanted to keep his title as the winningest beer miler of all time...in the Grand Lake area. 

From the crack of the first beer, it was evident that both runners meant business. They started at a blistering speed and somehow maintained that pace throughout the whole race. Unlike past years, there wasn't much drama during the race. Mackelvie took a slim lead early on and was able to maintain it to the end. 

I know what you're thinking. Did he break the record? YES! The course record that is. He ran a speedy 8:12 and broke the previous course record by an entire minute! Mitchell was not far behind and ran an 8:20, which was his personal best by a full minute as well. What about the world record you ask? Turns out some asshole ran a beer mile in 4:28 back in 2021! Like what?! How is that even humanly possible? And get this, he's a damn Canadian! So no, Michael did not break the world record. But he still gets to live in the greatest country in the world, and that's what really matters. 

The Women's Division was, um, let's just say they tried hard. Was it fast? No. Was it entertaining? Also no. Did Lauren Mitchell dominate the competition to bring home her 3rd GLBM title? Once again no. I mean she did win, but it was just her 2nd title. Newcomer Chelsea Perryman had a solid debut race and took home second place. Ashley Walker stuck to her annual slow-and-steady strategy and ended up breaking a course record as well...for the slowest third place finish of all time at 28:10. Solid work. 

Overall, this year was a blast! Great people and good times. That's what it's all about. USA! USA! USA!

- Grand Lake Beer Mile Team