Lager Jogger: Vancouver’s beer run

Running and beer just seem to go together. While marathoners no longer drink flat beer as their carb of choice during races, runners still gravitate towards beer at a community level. Lots of sports have a beer culture, but unlike any other sport, runners from newbie to Olympian are united within one close-knit community. Last weekend this sense of community and love of beer were brought together in Vancouver in the so perfectly named Lager Jogger. 

 

 

 

Organized by 2016 Olympic Steeplechaser Chris Winter, the Lager Jogger celebrated its fourth year in the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver. The event itself is quite simple: eight pubs, 8K. Drink as much or as little as you’d like at each pub, pay for a pitcher here and there. There are no entry fees, no online registrations, no formalities. This is simply a community that thought it would be fun to dress up for the holidays, spread some festive cheer, drink and run.

 

 

The most unique thing about this beer run is the spectrum of runners taking part. There were Olympians as well as national team members, university athletes, long since retired runners, run clubbers, and friends of any of the above all coming together to share stories over a pint.

 

 

The event has grown steadily over the last few years, with no signs of slowing down. Organizer Chris Winter says, “While the core has stayed the same, we are very welcoming to anyone that wants to join in. What started out as a glorified pub crawl has organically grown into an annual Christmas tradition where the local running community gets together for a little celebration.” He added, “it’s definitely happening again in 2019.”

 

For Winter the event has become a family affair. Canadian half-marathon record-holder Rachel Cliff (who is also Winter’s wife) and Cliff’s parents all take part in the event. For Winter, “my favourite Lager Jogger memory was in 2017. Rachel’s dad, Ron, had picked up a Santa suit and was excited to wear it any chance he got. Ron and Rachel’s mom, Nancy, organized a secret drink stop location. When the group showed up no one knew what was happening, but Santa appeared offering drinks and cookies. The best part was that he knew everyone by name, which really frightened those that had no idea who Santa was. This has sparked a tradition, and Santa joined us again this year.”

 

 

If you’re in Vancouver next Christmas and enjoy running, beer, surprise visits from Santa, or brushing shoulders with Olympians, you’ll definitely want to make it out to the 2019 Lager Jogger.