A student from Canada has become the world's first professional 'beer-miler' after breaking the world record for running while drinking bottles of ale

Lewis Kent set the world record earlier this year, breaking the five-minute-mile barrier and consuming four beers during the Beer Mile World Championships earlier this month.

He ran the race in 4.51 and has now become the obscure sport's first professional, after running company Brooks offered him an undisclosed sponsorship and running bonus deal.

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Lewis Kent set the world record earlier this year, breaking the five-minute-mile barrier and consuming four beers during the Beer Mile World Championships earlier this month.

He ran the race at the World Championships in 4.51 and has now become the obscure sport's first professional, after running company Brooks offered him an undisclosed sponsorship and running bonus deal

This the equipment that running company Brooks has provided for Mr Kent, who is originally a cross country athlete but is now the world's first professional beer-miler

Mr Kent took a celebratory drink from the cup he won at the Beer Mile World Championships on December 1

The 21-year-old, who is studying at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, said: 'It's been really cool. I didn't think I would ever be given anything to drink beer and run.'

The cult sport has grown in popularity over recent years and requires athletes to drink one 12oz (355ml) beer at the start of every lap of the four-lap race.

Lewis, who runs track and cross-country at his university, received his first taste of beer-miling during an event in April 2014, where he finished fourth.

But the runner began to take the sport a more seriously around October 2014, having realised that beer-miling could take him to new places.

Lewis had been injured during cross-country season and heard that the world championships would be held in Austin, Texas, that year.

He went on to break the six-minute barrier, running in 4.55, then continued to improve on his times throughout the next 12 months.

Mr Kent also won the Beer Mile World Classic in San Francisco this year (right), and could now be considered an elite athlete (left) after joining the Brooks roster of professionals

RULES OF GAME: FOUR BOTTLEDS IN FOUR LAPS - AND DON'T THROW UP Lewis Kent at the World Chapionships, where he set a beer mile world record of 4.51 1. Each runner must drink four 12oz cans of beer - one every 400 metres - and run one mile, usually on a track. 2. Beer must be consumed before the lap is begun, in the 10meter 'transition zone' before the 400-meter mark. 3. The race begins with the drinking of the first beer in the last meter of the transition zone to ensure competitors run a mile (1609meters). 4. Specialized cans or bottles that flow faster and drinking aids are prohibited. 5. Beer cans must not be tampered with in any manner (no 'shotgunning' or puncturing of the can is allowed) 6. Beer must be a minimum of 5 per cent alcohol by volume and must be a fermented alcoholic beverage, brewed from malted cereal grains and flavored with hops. 7. Each can must not be opened until the runner enters the transition zone on each lap. 8. Competitors who vomit before they finish the race must complete one penalty lap at the end - but being sick numerous times still requires only one penalty. *It is strongly recommended, when attempting official records, to tip the empty beer can or bottle over your head at the end of a chug to verify an empty vessel. Advertisement

Runners lined up at the Beer Mile World Classic in San Francisco earlier this year, where Mr Kent set the pace for a very successful season

This year, Lewis has won August's Beer Mile World Classic, in San Francisco, California, and then December's Beer Mile World Championships, back in Austin.

It was at the world championships that he set the world record of 4:51.

After winning in San Francisco race, Lewis' agent approached Brooks, who decided to add the runner to their roster of professional athletes, paying him undisclosed bonuses.

As the sport continues to grow, Lewis, whose beer of choice is an Amsterdam Blonde, said that he expects better runners to be attracted if prize money increases.

Kent, from Canada, crossed the line first and has headed up the field ever since, although he looks forward to running against better athletes as prize-money increases and gives the sport more pull

But it is not easy and Mr Kent says a lot of people throw up while running laps. And if they do, the rules state that they must run a penalty lap.

He said: 'A lot of people think you will be drunk at the end, but the hardest part is dealing with the carbonation.

'I would say 60 percent of people will puke, but that's more to do with the volume than the alcohol.

'I never expected it to be anywhere near this big.