Mead Mile Raises Over $10K for Men’s Health at Honey & Hops’ Movember Run

Royal Examiner received some late results regarding the November 1st Mead Mile “Movember Foundation” fundraising event for Men’s Health sponsored locally by East Main Street’s Honey & Hops. We’ll start by refreshing your memory of the event if you were there nearly three weeks ago now, or try to recruit you to next year’s event if you missed the first two annual ones.

This year, there were some added events, and since it was the day after Halloween, a “Costume Contest” was among those added events:

New This Year

“Costume Contest. Come run in your best costume. Prizes will be awarded!

Who said Halloween costumes & running don’t mix? Here, one costumed runner finishes, and below, others hug at the finish line. Then there’s a selfie with a largely costumed Yellow-Jacket, tho I’m not sure the Yellow-Jacket ran as much as buzzed around the finish line. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

“Make sure to stick around for the family-friendly Mead Mile Festival with live music, lots of local vendors, and food trucks.

“Also new this year: We are adding a kid-friendly Sprite Sprint for ages five and up. Participants will consume six oz. of Sprite, run a quarter mile, and then repeat once more before running through the finish line. Register on the day of the event at the check-in table. $10 cash only. Max of 65 runners.  This will be the last race starting at 12:30 p.m.”

Two kids approach the finish line nose-to-nose. Below, several kids and girl runners enjoy a post-Sprint Sprite.

Mead Mile Description

The Mead Mile is a flat paved 1/4 mile loop on Front Royal’s historic Main Street. “Each lap of the Mead Mile will begin with consuming a delicious 8 oz glass of Honey and Hops Brew Works 7% ABV session mead. Mead is included in the registration fee. A non-alcoholic option will also be available.”

Race rules and results

Mead Mile Race Limit: 200 participants

Mead Mile Course: The Mead Mile is four 1/4 mile loops on Front Royal’s historic Main Street. “The course is flat and fast!”

Two shots of runners crossing the finish line at their own speed.

This year, we are told that 118 runners competed in the second annual mead mile. Honey & Hops organizers raised over $10,000 from the day’s event. The Mead Mile’s purpose is to raise awareness for men’s health; all of the proceeds from the day are donated to Movember (a nonprofit for men’s health)

The top three times for the females were the following:

1st place: Jessica Zerfoss; 2nd place: Bethany Harding; 3rd place: Rachel Rushing.

The top three males were:

1st place: Matthias Ganley fastest time 7:08; 2nd place: Beya Basu; 3rd place: JD Wallen.

The musical acts in order were the following:

John Kramer, Anthony Taylor, Bearded Harmony, Zac Townsend, Jake Kohn.

One of the 5 musical entertainers on the Gazebo stage, providing a musical finish for runners.

Other information organizers wanted included was a “thank you” to their 2025 sponsors supporting the event. They were: Adventure Enablers, All Claims Pro — Amanda Slate – Keller Williams Realty — Ellen Aders, State Farm Insurance — Valley Health — On Cue Sports Bar & Grill — Wiggle & Ding — Rotary Club of Warren County — Main Street Geek — Toy Box Studios — Mattie’s Shave Cave — Doberer & Matthews LLC — Eavesdrop Brewery — Wawa — Robby D’s Lil Greens

Late rooster Update: We have been informed that while this member of the chicken family was roosting in the vicinity of  Robby D’s Lil Greens sign, both it and Robby’s were set up at the vendor/sponsor tent of the Homesteaders of Warren County. Thanks Homesteaders for hosting such a diverse, entertaining, and yum-yum tent.

Donations are still being accepted at the link below:

https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/VA/FrontRoyal/HoneyHopsMeadMile

And we were informed that all donations received at the above link “Will be forwarded to Movember.”

And on this pictorial note, we will conclude our update on the second annual Mead Mile, looking toward next year’s third running and surrounding events.

Is that a late runner crossing a downed Finish Line at the bottom right, wondering if they won?