Bloglander

Beer and distance running, as disparate as they may seem, are not total strangers. Many runners drink beer and aren't ashamed of it. And there's even been some scientific studies as to the effects of beer on your body after a run.

So we can assure you that a beer or two at our next running-centric Suds and Cinema event on Wednesday, April 27 at The Bing (doors at 6 pm, movie at 7 pm) won't derail the hard-won shape you've molded yourself into as Bloomsday approaches. Actually, given that the film is Prefontaine, the 1997 biopic of rock star Olympian Steve Prefontaine starring Oscar-winner Jared Leto, you might actually walk away with some inspiration for the Bloomsday starting line.

The program features a panel discussion with Bloomsday founder Don Kardong, himself a U.S. Olympian who ran against Prefontaine in those golden years of West Coast track and field in the early 1970s. Also on hand will be Pat Tyson, the current Gonzaga cross-country coach who also turned Spokane's Mead High School into a national powerhouse. Tyson was a teammate and roommate of Prefontaine's at Oregon.

Both Kardong and Tyson will share their memories of the legendary runner.

River City Brewing will be providing the beer, and will use the opportunity to unveil its Bloomsday Blonde, just in time for the race.

The movie is $5 and you can pre-order tickets right here.