Harris smashes beer mile world record
First there was Bannister, then there was El Guerrouj, and now, with four beers on board, continuing to re-define the limits of human ability, there is Josh Harris.

Up yours, Harris: Hicham El Guerrouj holds the non-beer mile world record at 3:43.13. Image: PhotoRun
The Australian smashed the beer mile world record with a 4:56.2 performance today, a run which, subject to ratification (by beermile.com, not the IAAF) will remove American James Nielsen’s 4:57.00 performance from the record books.
Harris’s previous best ratified mark was the 5:02.5 he ran three years ago in Melbourne, but now it appears he can officially call himself a sub-five-minute man, one of only two in the history of the wacky event, which has gained a growing cult following in recent years.
After his run, Harris, 25, told Sports Illustrated: “It’s something I’ve been working on for a few weeks now. Training has included 3 shorter interval sessions (200-400m) with beer recovery in the final set. I’ve also been drinking one beer per night at top speed and on a Sunday after my long run eating as much food as I can with a beer to finish once I’m close to puking.”
The rules of the beer mile state that the beer must be 5.0 or higher in alcohol concentration and drunk from a 12-ounce (355ml) can or bottle that has not been altered or opened prior to the race. Four beers must be consumed, one before each of four running laps. Those who vomit must run a penalty lap.
Harris’s splits (for beer +400m) were 70, 2:27, 3:45, 4:56.
Watch his record run below.
For our entirely unprofessional coverage of the Irish beer mile championships last month, click here.
The current all-time official top-10, courtesy of www.beermile.com
1 | James Nielsen | 4:57.0 ![]() |
2014 | ![]() |
San Francisco, CA Marin Beer Mile |
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2 | Corey Gallagher | 5:00.2 ![]() |
2014 | ![]() |
Circuit of the Americas, … Flotrack 2014 Championshi… |
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3 | Corey Gallagher | 5:01.6 ![]() |
2014 | ![]() |
Winnipeg, MB 2014 Manitoba Summer Beer… |
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4 | Josh “Joshua” Harris | 5:01.8 ![]() |
2015 | ![]() |
Launceston, Australia Season Opener |
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5 | Josh Harris | 5:02.5 ![]() |
2012 | ![]() |
Melbourne, Australia 2012 Autumn Classic Beer … |
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6 | Michael Cunningham | 5:07.9 ![]() |
2014 | ![]() |
Circuit of the Americas, … Flotrack 2014 Championshi… |
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7 | Jim Finlayson | 5:09.0 ![]() |
2007 | ![]() |
Victoria, BC 4th Annual Dave Smart Bee… |
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8 | Josh “Harry” Harris | 5:16.3 ![]() |
2012 | ![]() |
St. Leonards, Australia Australian Beer Mile show… |
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9 | Jack Colreavy | 5:17.0 ![]() |
2013 | ![]() |
Rawlinson Track, Melbourn… 2013 Parkville Beer Mile |
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10 | Michael Ryan | 5:18.0 ![]() |
2014 | ![]() |
New York, NY NYC Mens Beer Mile Champi… |
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