Before each 400-meter lap, runners in the Milha Urbana da Cerveja must drink a cup of beer. The race is a one-mile urban event in Parque da Cidade de Barcelos, run on an irregular dirt surface over four laps. It is an afternoon and early-evening race for participants aged 18 and over, with each runner given 15 minutes to finish.
The field is split into heats of 16 athletes, starting 15 minutes apart, so the race moves in short waves rather than one large group. Each athlete drinks four beers in total, one in the transition area before each lap. Anyone who fails to finish the beer can receive a time penalty or be disqualified, and vomiting means disqualification. Finishers receive a medal, while the fastest athletes compete for technology prizes.