Run a mile, earn a free beer — that’s the deal this Saturday at Philly’s first ever Beerathon and Beer fest. Racers can expect a 5K loop around the Navy Yard, culminating with a festival featuring food trucks, music, and tastings from over a dozen breweries.
The run (or walk, no pressure) starts at 11 a.m., with three beer stations at the first and second mile markers, as well as the finishing line. Drinking during the race is optional — participants can either register for a sober run or wait to imbibe afterwards at the beer fest. Tickets to the festival are sold separately, with a discounted rate for 5K runners.
The event got its start in 2011, by former runners who, after being kept out of the New York City marathon due to training injuries, turned to their love of brews instead. They’ve brought beer fests to Philly before, but Saturday’s run marks the group’s first Beerathon in the city.
For the event, they’ve teamed up with charity partner Trauma Survivors Foundation, which provides services for individuals impacted by mass shootings and disasters, natural or man-made. Saturday’s event aims to raise awareness and funds for the Wilmington-based non-profit.
It’ll also serve as a showcase for a range of regional breweries tapping into the “athletic nature of Philadelphia,” said Ed Webber, co-founder of Bristol-based Broad Street Brewing.
“Even though we’re not in the city,” he said, “we’re all Philly kids who grew up in the area.”
For Saturday, Webber said, Broad Street Brewing will be offering its tropical session IPA, 76 & Sunny (4.8% ABV), along with its Broad Street Lime Mexican lager (4%), Independence lager (4.2%), and 201 North Belgian-style wheat ale (5.6%).
“We’re looking forward to quenching the thirst of our runners,” said Webber.
Other brewing companies featuring at the Beerathon include Bellefonte Brewing Company, Bitchin’ Kitten, ‘Bout the Hops, Downeast Ciders, New Ridge, Slack Tide, Spellbound, Swedesboro, Three 3’s, Tonewood, Triple Bottom, Von C., and Urban Village. Fishtown Iced Tea, Stateside Vodka, 2Moods seltzer, DeRo craft artisan liqueur, and Revolution Bees honey farm will also be on-site.
Tickets for the Beerathon, including a drink for each mile, are $39; the beer-less option is $10 cheaper. Tickets to the festival, which runs from noon to 3 p.m., are also $39, and can be purchased at a discounted price while registering online for a spot in the race. Bibs will be available for runners on the day of the race.
The event is rain or shine. Participants in the Beerathon and festival attendees must be at least 21, with valid photo ID.
For more information, visit runbeerathon.com
