Beer Runner Profile: Marty Velas
By Tim Cigelske • Apr 22nd, 2009 • Category: Beer Runner profile
It’s hard to say if Marty Velas has stronger credentials for beer or for running. Both are very, very, very impressive.
He started brewing in 1978 after a trip to visit relatives in Czechoslovakia exposed him to Pilsner Urquell, Zlaty Bazant and Budvar.
Velas learned to brew in the Maltose Falcons home-brewing club with such brewing greats as Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada) and John Maier (Rogue) and completed his journeyman-ship at the Hofbrauhaus Traunstein in Bavaria.
Today he brews at the Smoky Mountain Brewery in Tennessee, and his Velas Helles took home a gold medal from the Great American Beer Festival.
As for the fitness side, he’s played semi-pro soccer and one professional season in Germany. He ran his first race in 1980 (10k Dad’s Day run in Hermosa Beach, California) and has run four marathons and countless halves.
“Pure beer can be a great supplement to a healthy lifestyle,” he says. “I have traditionally always choosen races sponsored by breweries.”
What was your last hard workout and what was your last good beer?
Ran a hilly 10k at the Ijams Nature Center then drove immediately to play in an outdoor soccer match. The first beer after that was consumed in one gulp. My last great beer was at the Hickory Hops beer festival last week with a sample of Duck Rabbit barleywine. WOW.
What’s one of your most memorable post marathon or post workout beers?
Sharing an ice cold growler jug of Mountain Light lager with my wife Solange after finishing the 2007 Knoxville Half-marathon hand in hand.
Smokies photo by Alaskan Dude
For those who aren’t local, what’s your favorite thing about the Smokies?
Hiking, fishing and capping off the day at one of our four breweries with a frosty Velas Helles lager.
Which came first for you: a love for beer or a love of working out?
Beer is definitely easier to love. I would run just to stay in shape for soccer. Not until my wife decided to run marathons after our twins were born in 2000 did I really develop a love of running. With beer, it was love at first sip. Cheers.
Tim Cigelske is the Beer Runner. --
Beer Run•ner (noun): 1. Someone equally devoted to fine beer appreciation and an active, healthy lifestyle 2. A blog by Tim Cigelske on Draftmag.com. Ex. "John downed four microbrews at the triathlon finish line. He's a total beer runner."
All posts by Tim Cigelske
You learn something every day! I’m a frequent patron at the Smoky Mountain Brewery in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and really like Velas Helles, but the only side of Marty Velas that I knew was the brewer side. This profile is great! I now have a second reason to admire and respect him.