The Great Beerd Run

by | Nov 15, 2019 | Beer, Running

On a rather cold November morning, we joined hundreds of bearded, beer-drinking runners for the 2019 Great Beerd Run. Normally I’m not sporting a beard so I was pleasantly surprised and pleased by how warm my new beard kept my face.
 
Check in with Jillian at Grand Traverse Resort
 
My new beard was in the swag booty we collected upon check-in for the run. Chuck said he was good with the beard he brought. 
 
Brenda and Chuck with Beerds
 

When Jillian invited us to the Great Beerd Run, she promised us a “5k fun run designed to celebrate all things Beer and Beard! It is an untimed run with on-course beer tastings featuring Beards Brewery, Short’s Brewing Company, and Right Brain Brewery.” It was definitely everything she promised! 

 

The Great Beerd Run

Like magic on the morning of the run, bearded runners, unicorns, and Santa assembled under Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s yellow pavilion. They chatted, showed off their beards, and even did a little dancing to keep warm while we waited for the run to start. 
 
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Get Ready, Set, Go! 

At 10 am, the race started and runners were off in search of beer. 
 
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The Beer Stations

The first beer station was sponsored by Beards Brewing. They were serving up their “Silent Planet” which Chuck thought tasted like the beers we had in Scotland. We both were happy that the first beer station was before the first mile. This way you felt like you were further along the course and didn’t care you had two miles to go.
 
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Short’s Brewing Company sponsored the 2nd beer station. They were offering up “Juicy Brut” which seemed to us like a champagne toast for almost covering two miles. Refreshed and rejuvenated we pushed onward toward our goal of a fleet-footed finish at the Great Beerd Run.
 
Running with Beers!
 
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And finally, after climbing the only hill on the course, we found Right Brian’s beer station and Keg Couch!  We felt illuminated after a luscious “Luminous” lemon ale. 
 
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Race Winners and Race Medals

The Detroit Grooming sponsored the Best Beard Competition. They brought along a bunch of their products to make your beard fabulous.
 
Detroit Grooming Co.
 
There were prizes for the Best Natural Beard and Best Assisted Beard as well as for the fastest male and female runners.
 
Assisted Beards
 
Assisted Beards
 
Assisted Beards
 
Chuck couldn’t resist and jumped into the Best Natural Beard competition. Who was surprised that Chuck won the Best Natural Beard contest? No one.
 
Real Beards
 
Real Beards
 

The Post-Race Beer Tent 

By 11:00 most runners were back and race grub was being consumed. Included in the registration was a ticket for one beer during the post-race party. Many runners were enjoying a delicious smelling soup. It looked pretty cheesy so I opted for banana and few sweet treats. I have to admin washing my banana down with beer was first.
 

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Post Race Fun
 
Post Race Fun
 

Post Race Fun

 

Broom Closet Boys

The pre and post Great Beerd run entertainment at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa was a band called Broom Closet Boys. When we arrived they were playing a cover of Elton John and I thought “man, this is a great cover”. From that point on, the Broom Closet Boys just kept rocking out one fantastic cover after another. I know I heard the Eagles and pretty sure a cover of Blink 182. Each song played with dedication to the original while letting these talented musicians make the music come alive.

 

The Great Beerd Run 2019
 
The Great Beerd Run 2019
 

The Great Beerd Run 2019

 

All the covers they did were energizing to get us ready for the cold run ahead. The one that hit home was their rendition of “American Girl” by Tom Petty. They also performed a damn fine cover of “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton which had a few people swaying to the music. Evidently, the Broom Closet Boys hit the local pubs and breweries as well as many special events in the Traverse City area. Be sure to check them out for a night of fun music.

Pictures! 

Fun Run at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

 

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