Beer run in Hong Kong to turn off tap on alcoholic drinks after government warning

A drink-as-you-race running competition in Hong Kong will be turning off the tap on alcoholic drinks after receiving a warning from the city’s health authorities.

Organisers of the “Beer Run 2017”, which originally required participants to drink at least four cans of beer during the 1,600m race, announced the decision on Friday evening. They cited public worries over the potential health problems from drinking alcoholic drinks while running.

“The opposition is so strong that the execution [of the event] is affected,” said Andes Leung Pak-hang, chief executive officer and co-founder of event organiser RunOurCity. He declined to specify what the implications would be.

Hong Kong beer race requiring participants to drink a can every 400m draws criticism

The Beer Run will be held at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on November 4.

Earlier on Friday, Hong Kong’s Department of Health director Constance Chan Hon-yee said the department, along with three professional groups, had sent a letter to RunOurCity, calling on the social enterprise not to encourage drinking during the event or provide alcohol to runners.

Chan said drinking alcohol while running would increase the risk of falling and heat stroke, as doing so would affect the central nervous system and lead to higher risks of dehydration due to more urination.

The warnings and criticisms have forced RunOurCity to rearrange some details of the event’s operations, such as the length of the race. The new plan is expected to be announced as early as next week.