The 2-mile race isn't about distance. It's about how fast you can drink. Watch video
ASBURY PARK -- For the 600 runners who participated in the second annual "Maifest Bier Run" on Sunday, it was a good thing the sun wasn't shining.
Because unlike normal races, this one includes a pit stop in which runners must finish a can of beer before they can continue.
Jarett Huneke, who finished first among men, said that caveat is what made this race challenging.
"It was challenging," the 28-year-old Millstone resident said. "I run distance, but that was a challenge. That was awesome."
The first place finisher in the women's division, Amanda Marino, 26, agreed.
"That was rough," she said. "I run marathons and that was rough."
The race is only 2 miles long but competitors drink three beers during the run. The race starts and ends in a tent adjacent to the Asbury Festhalle Biergarten. When the runners exited the tent, they went up Lake Avenue, turned around at Ocean Avenue, and headed back to the tent. Inside the tent, they were handed a beer and had to chug it before proceeding. Runners completed the race after three laps.
Jennifer Lampert, an owner of the Asbury Festhalle Biergarten, the organizer of the race, said she was pleased with the turnout.
"The weather is rough but all the people running the race, and our team, made it sunny," Lampert said.
She said proceeds from the run will be used to help send 10 Asbury Park children to summer camps and to benefit cystic fibrosis. The Biergarten also holds themed races on Valentine's Day and New Year's Day, Lampert said.
Split Second Racing coordinated the racing aspect of Sunday's event. Thom White of Split Second Racing said the beer run in Asbury Park brings out a nice mix of participants.
"There are people here who are runners," White said. "This, for them, is a wonderful opportunity to have fun and drink beers with their friends. It's truly a great time."
The top three finishers in the men's competition were Jarett Huneke, Kenny O'Brien and Glenn Koslowsky, respectively. For the women, on top was Amanda Marino followed by Beth Marzigliano and Mindy D'Addario.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.