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7 Years of Running the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K

 Yuengling Lager Jogger 5k starting line

I ran the Yuengling Lager Jogger 5k every April since the inaugural running back in 2013 until the pandemic hit. Seven years later, I have run a total of 21.7 miles through the hilly streets of Pottsville.

I figured it was time to document my participation in this annual 5k. Read on below as I share my experience running this Pottsville brewery road race.

Yuengling Lager Jogger

The 7th annual Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5k took place at America's oldest brewery in Pottsville, PA on April 27, 2019. As usual, all 3,500 participants get a Yuengling Light Lager Jogger branded pint glass, official race t-shirt, and of course two free Yuengling Light Lager beers.

The Yuengling 5k course is notoriously tough—the first mile sees an elevation gain of over 180 feet with an average grade of 3.5%. But the hills don't stop there. During the second mile, you first climb 100 feet over the course of 1/10 mile and then another brutal 60 feet in 1/10 mile.

It's all downhill from there as the course takes you back to the starting line right in front of the brewery. Check out the full Yuengling Lager Jogger course below.

Yuengling 5k Lager Jogger course map

Free Beer Every Year

In addition to two water stations, the course is typically lined with the local neighbors giving out alcoholic drinks. You'll find everything from Yuengling beer in a cup to mimosas and alcoholic jello shots.

It seems that every year, there are more and more "dehydration stations". In 2019, there were four alcoholic drink stations along the first mile alone.

Although it's probably illegal for the residents of Pottsville to distribute alcoholic drinks to the runners without a license, it doesn't seem like the Pottsville police care. They too participate, spectate, and patrol the road race.

Most importantly, the race starts and ends at the Yuengling brewery where every runner gets two free Yuengling Light Lager beers after the race.

Tony Florida running the Yuengling Lager Jogger 5k in 2015
Tony Florida running the Yuengling Lager Jogger 5k in 2016
Tony Florida running the Yuengling Lager Jogger 5k in 2017

Yuengling Lager Jogger 5k Results and Winner

All seven years of the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5k results are .

    The winner of the Yuengling Lager Jogger 5k every year except for one has been the mohawk-sporting Kyle Price, a New Jersey native. The only year that Price wasn't victorious was when he tied with Steve Febish for first place in 2016. In addition to winning the Lager Jogger most years, Kyle holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest half marathon in a suit.

    Although I'm clearly not the fastest runner, I like to keep track of my 5k times throughout the years. The chart below plots my Yuengling 5k time each year since the first race back in 2013.

    Tony Florida's 5k times graph for Yuengling Lager Jogger

    And here is a table containing my 5k times and place for the Yuengling 5k as well as the number of participants for each year.

    YearTime (min)Pace (min/mi)Place# of Participants
    201323.037:26672,156
    210422.117:09552,600
    201522.427:19672,679
    201623.177:30742,426
    201723.577:431232,825
    201824.277:531262,948
    201921.597:05372,935

    Lager Jogger 5k Taglines Over the Years

    Every year, the organizers of the 5k come up with a clever, beer-related tagline for the 5k. Consequently, here are the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger taglines over the years.

    • 2013 - Cheers to the Finish
    • 2014 - Will Run for Beer
    • 2015 - Run Now, Beer Later
    • 2016 - Drafting at It's Finest
    • 2017 - 5 Years of 5k Beers
    • 2018 - Never Settle
    • 2019 - Light it Up
    Pictured from left to right below is Steve Febish, Tony Florida (myself), Dick Yuengling, and Kyle Price after the 2014 Lager Jogger.
    If you consider yourself a Yuengling fan, sign up for the next Lager Jogger 5k here. Registration usually opens in early October and sells out quickly. You have a really good chance of meeting the brewery owner Dick Yuengling at the race.

    While you're at it, check out some of my other Yuengling blog posts, and let me know in the comments below if you have participated or plan to participate in the Lager Jogger.

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