Corey Bellemore Wins Eighth Beer Mile World Title
Windsor runner leads a Canadian 1-2 in Cologne, Germany
Corey Bellemore is a world champion again.
The Tecumseh native, who now lives in Windsor, won the men's race at the 12th Beer Mile World Classic in Cologne, Germany, on Sept. 18. He ran 4:42.10 and finished nearly 15 seconds ahead of everyone else. It's his eighth world title and his sixth in a row.
In a beer mile, runners drink a beer and then run a lap, four times over. Bellemore still holds the world record of 4:27.10, set at the 2025 World Classic in Lisbon. He didn't lower it this year, but that wasn't what he was after.
"This year wasn't a record-breaking one, but I always go into the beer mile looking to put down a solid performance," Bellemore said. "I stay fit year-round with touches of speed and a lot of strength work. I know I have a strong stomach and can chug quickly, which helps."
He doesn't take the event too seriously, and says that's part of why he does it.
"It's a once-a-year event that takes me to new countries, and I go into it with the mindset of 'if she dies, she dies,'" he said. "In the bigger picture of life, sometimes you just have to take chances and not take yourself so seriously."
Canada took the top two spots. Maxime Lapierre was second in 4:57.00. Americans Hayden Bunnell (4:58.20) and Joe Kehoe (5:00.40) were third and fourth, and both ran personal bests.
In the women's race, Elizabeth Laseter of the U.S. won her fourth straight title, beating world record holder Shelby Houlihan by eight-tenths of a second. It was the closest race in the event's history.
What's next
Bellemore just signed with the running apparel brand Sprints, and he's getting ready for triathlons and road races over the rest of this year and into next.
"I might try a few new things too," he said. "I just love being competitive, staying fit, and finding joy in the journey."
Full results and race video are at beermile.com.