Canadian Lewis Kent sets Australian soil beer mile record

Former world record holder and Canadian Lewis Kent ran the fastest beer mile ever in Australia on the weekend.

Melbourne was the site of the Brooks International Beer Mile on Saturday. Aussie Beer Milers Club hosted the event as both the men’s and women’s Australian all-comers records were broken. Kent, who is sponsored by Brooks, ran 4:51.11, one of the top overall times in history. Local Josh Harris, a 2:17 marathoner, finished second in 5:02.62.

Lewis Kent has now run more sub 5 minute Beer Miles than anyone else in history! (?@mrdaverobbo) #KentStopHim #AussieBeerMile pic.twitter.com/uCY7MVRk2y

— Kris Mychasiw (@Mychasiw) May 13, 2017

Canadian Corey Bellemore is the men’s world record holder, a mark which currently stands at 4:34.35. Kent is the world leader in sub-5:00 beer miles, a feat which he has accomplished five times. His lifetime best is 4:47.17. Kent’s most recent time in Australia is the ninth-fastest in history, according to rankings on beermile.com.

RELATED: PHOTOS: 2017 Toronto Spring Beer Mile.

Meanwhile, Australian Claire Thomas won the women’s race in 7:25.55, also a continental record for the four beer, four laps of a 400m track event. Beer must be 355 mL and at least 5 per cent alcohol. Shannessy Adams finished second using beer of 330 mL volume, making her time unofficial, per the official beer mile regulations.

More than 8,500 people tuned in for various Facebook Live videos of the event. Complete footage from the beer mile can be found here.

With files from a press release.