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Lance Armstrong fails 'beer mile' running event

Sure, Lance Armstrong was pretty good at that French cycling race. But when it comes to good old-fashioned beer drinking and running, well, he's not even in the mix.

Armstrong was invited to qualify for the first-ever Flo Beer Mile in Austin, Texas, an event where competitors must drink four beers as they run a mile.

It's one of many such alcohol-and-exercise competitions, and it's apparently too much for the former seven-time Tour de France winner to handle.

In the time trials, Armstrong drank a beer, ran a lap, started on his second beer, declared "That was not what I expected," and dropped out, which makes him a wise man indeed.

“He drank Budweiser heavy from a 12 ounce (355ml) can, no widemouth, following strict international beer mile standards," said Patrick Hitchens, who completed the beer mile in 6:08.

"Perhaps his days with Michelob Ultra Lite put him at a disadvantage. He’s probably on his way to a gas station getting some Budweisers right now and practicing his chugging. He’s a competitor. I hope to see him out there again.”

OFFICIAL BEER MILE RULES AND REGULATIONS
- Each competitor drinks four cans (or bottles) of beer and runs four laps on a track.
- Beer must be consumed before the lap has begun, within the transition area.
- The race begins with the drinking of the first beer in the last metre of the transition zone.
- Competitors must drink cans or bottles of beer and the contents will be no less than 12oz (355ml).
- No specialised cans or bottles may be used that give an advantage by allowing the beer to pour at a faster rate.
- Beer cans must not be tampered with in any manner.
- Beer must be a minimum of 5 per cent alcohol by volume.
- The beer must be a fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from malt and flavoured with hops.
- Each beer can must not be opened until the competitor enters the transition zone on each lap.
- Competitors who vomit before they finish the race must complete one penalty lap at the end of the race.