ICYMI: El Paso runner, 81, conquers ‘beer run’

Elvira Montes is 81 years old, an avid runner and recently conquered an unusual race.

She was the oldest finisher at the Flotrack Beer Mile World Championships in Austin on December 1 with a time of 20 minutes, 24 seconds.

In the competition, runners have to chug a beer before every lap until they complete a mile.

“Really, I don’t drink beer, but it tasted real good,” said Montes.

Montes said her performance was not affected by the beer-drinking. She prefers to drink scotch.

The 81-year-old grandmother said she has been active her entire life and always encouraged her children to be in sports.

She grew up on a farm in San Elizario and spent her time chasing animals.

Montes said she runs three miles everyday, she credits her children for encouraging her to stay active.

It was her daughter who convinced to run the beer mile race.

“A beer run?”

Montes said she was hesitant to do the race.

“When my daughters tell me ‘you can’ well I’m going to try. So I did and I finished.”

Montes said she beat her daughter who is a marathon runner.

“I guess she drinks kind of slow,” joked Montes.

Montes will turn 82 in less than three weeks and hopes to run the race again next year.

Montes retired about a year ago from the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation department where she said she would encourage her co-workers to stay active and healthy.

“Age is no problem for me.”