Craft beer racing series comes to Cleveland

Craft beer and running go hand in hand — at least they do for Jay Toole.

The 24-year-old Cleveland resident is launching the Rock ‘N’ Hops Brewery Racing Series this year.

It’s a series of four 5k races in the Cleveland area followed by a craft beer tasting and live music.

"If there’s one thing runners like to do after a race, it’s to drink a beer," said Toole, who heads the company Runiversity. "They aren’t too worried about the calories at that point. You had a hard effort? You have to reward yourself a bit."

Beer races are becoming more popular around the country.

The Ultimate Beer Run series features 12 races in various cities, with the first outing of the year taking place Saturday (May 9) in Columbus. Meanwhile, the Craft Brew Races operates in 10 cities from Portland, Maine, to Boulder, Colo.

Toole, who ran competitively in college, said it made sense to launch a series in Cleveland.

Craft beer drinkers — at least many of the millenials of the bunch — tend to take fitness as seriously as their beer.

Each Rock ‘N’ Hops race will feature a single craft brewery and its beer lineup. Runners receive a T-shirt and custom glass, with the first pint filled for free for the entry fee.

The fee ranges from $30 in advance to $40 on the day of the race.

Here’s the schedule:

• June 6 in Westlake featuring Black Box Brewing Co.

• July 11 in Edgewater Park in Cleveland with Great Lakes Brewing Co.

• Aug. 8 in the Flats in Cleveland with Brick and Barrel Brewery.

• Oct. 3 in Cleveland with Buckeye Brewing Co.

Organizers also may later add a September race.

The races will be electronically timed and runners will receive numbers — but people can go at their own pace, Toole said. There also will be a one-mile fun run for anyone who doesn’t want to compete in the race.

Instead of medals, the top runners in various categories will receive growlers.

A portion of the proceeds from each race will benefit a charity of the brewery’s choice, he said.

Toole hopes that anywhere from 500 to 1,500 racers show up at the first event.

He also hopes to grow the series, possibly adding longer races in the future.

For full details, including the specific starting location and times, click here.