2025 Beer Mile World Classic Date and Location Announced
Lisbon, Portugal – Embrace yourself for a spectacle unlike any other! The 11th edition of the Beer Mile World Classic is on tap for Saturday, July 26th at the União Atlético Povoense fútbol club facility in Lisbon, Portugal.
This isn't just a race; it's a clash of titans, a test of endurance, and a celebration of pure, unadulterated madness.
The event marks the first international beer mile on the Iberian Peninsula, a significant milestone just one year after the first-ever Portuguese athlete to compete at an international competition, Pedro Gaspar, placed 10th overall in the 10th annual Beer Mile World Championships. Now, fueled by his home crowd, Gaspar aims to rewrite Portugal’s record book.
This meet, the Official World Championship of the Beer Mile, will be hosted by the production team at Beer Mile Lisboa and the Portuguese Beer Mile Team. In addition to championship heats, Beer Mile Lisboa will host open races on the same day for local participants.
Men's Championship Race Preview
The retirement of Corey Bellemore has been greatly exaggerated. Bellemore hinted at retirement after last year’s near-world record performance on his home track in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. After a speech to the crowd stating that he was likely stepping away, the siren call of the World Classic has lured him to Lisbon, hungry for his seventh title.
But is he still the unstoppable force? Or has his time away created a chink in his armor?
Bellemore will be joined in the men's field by the #2 all-time performer and US Record Holder Chris Robertson, England’s Chris Russell, and a slew of athletes with the talent to break 5-minutes for the beer mile.
World Classic co-founder John Markell says, “We’re excited that Corey will be racing. He is an electric athlete and has a chance to set a new world record whenever he steps on the track with four beers. I am looking forward to seeing if he can outpace the strongest beer mile field ever assembled, or if this year a new competitor claims the title of the 'World’s Fastest Beer Miler'.”
The men’s team race is a powder keg ready to explode. Team USA, with their sub-5:00 army (Chris Robertson, Garrett Cullen, Andrew Benkovsky, Bud Lightning), are the favorites.
But remember the 2022 World Classic in Leuven? The UK squad (Joe Gebbie, Richie Gardner, Brogan McCawley, Chris Russell) proved anything can happen. Sweden, Belgium, and a potentially explosive Portuguese team are all ready to shock the world.
Women's Championship Race Preview
What should viewers expect in the women's race? A fierce American showdown!
In both the team and individual races, the United States is favored once again. They have four active beer milers with personal bests under 6:35, and this year's championship will likely be a battle of The Yanks going head to head for the world title.
The favorite heading into this year's championship is two-time champion Elizabeth Laseter, who won last year's championship after setting the Championship Record of 6:03.7 in Chicago in 2023. She will be joined by fellow Americans and past Champions, Allison Grace Morgan, Melanie Pozdol and consistent podium finisher Kassandra Marin.
One notable competitor will not be attending Lisbon. It is confirmed that World Record Holder Shelby Houlihan (5:43) will not compete and will focus on professional track and field races this summer.
The Germans pose the biggest threat to US women’s dominance. Anna Kamp set the European record (6:31) in last year’s championship, and teammate Katja Tegler was on the podium in her previous World Classic venture in 2023. Tegler posted a breakthrough 6:28 beer mile in 2024 at a local event in Germany, but without sufficient evidence it could not be solidified as the new European Record.
In the fight for a team podium finish, English duo Polly Keen and Laura Riches have both appeared on the World Classic podium. The Swedish women are always in the hunt with a consistently improving Stina Barman and Frida Hellastadius.
More Information
If you are ready to beer mile and be part of the mayhem, we will be sharing more information and a link to register for the open races once available. Additional information, details on how to watch, and results will be posted on the event page here.
More information about the race: Nick@beermileworldclassic.com