Runner Drinks at Every Mile of Chicago Marathon
A viral stunt by runner Jack Hosty, who drank an alcoholic beverage at each mile, has drawn criticism from fellow athletes.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Running
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Runner Jack Hosty completed the Chicago Marathon while drinking an alcoholic beverage at every mile, posting a clip titled "26 Drinks For 26 Miles" to social media. The stunt drew debate online and from other runners after the clip went viral.
Why it matters
The stunt has prompted discussion in Chicago's running community about the safety and messaging of drinking during a marathon. Critics argue that public displays like this can encourage aspiring runners to adopt unsafe habits.
Hosty consumed 26 alcoholic drinks across 26 miles, plus a keg stand after the 26-mile marker, for 27 total drinks. The source does not report his finishing time or any post-race medical evaluation.
The players
Jack Hosty
Runner who completed the Chicago Marathon while drinking an alcoholic beverage at every mile and posted the stunt online.
Holly Mills
British heptathlete who criticized the stunt, saying it sends the wrong signal to aspiring runners and that combining a marathon with this much alcohol is more dangerous.
The details
During the race, Hosty traded energy gels and electrolyte sachets for alcoholic drinks, including Fireball whiskey, beer, seltzers, champagne, Jell-O shots, and Jeppson's Malört. At mile three he accepted a shot of "mystery juice" and a puff of a spectator's joint, and after mile 26 he performed a keg stand on the course before crossing the finish line to collect an official finisher's medal.
Timeline
Article about the viral stunt published November 6, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The stunt sits within a recurring pattern of viral endurance-sport displays that attract attention on social media while raising questions about the example set for amateur runners. Critics like Holly Mills frame the debate around whether such content normalizes alcohol use alongside endurance competition.
Runners considering a similar event should weigh the physical demands of a marathon against the effects of alcohol consumption during the race. The stunt also highlights how social media clips can shape how amateur athletes perceive race-day conduct.
The takeaway
Endurance events demand careful fueling and hydration, and public stunts that mix alcohol with racing can send mixed signals to newer runners. Prioritizing established race-day nutrition plans is the more reliable approach for anyone training for a marathon.
Further reading
For more on the local racing scene, explore Running coverage across Chicago.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.
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Would you ever drink alcohol during a marathon?
