Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K

The Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K has been one of the most popular races in North Carolina for more than 30 years!. It has been selected multiple times by Endurance Magazine as the best 5K in Triad NC and was featured in Running Journal magazine as the #1 “Under the Radar” race in the South. Beat the Heat is a charity event with proceeds going to local non-profits that support health and fitness in the community.

Key features include:

• Evening Race with Festive, Supportive Atmosphere

• National Championship 5K Race for Road Runners Club of America

• Fundraising Event for Local Charities

• Inclusive Events for All Runner Types and Levels

• A Popular Race for First Time 5K Runners

• Spectator Friendly Open Elite 5K Race

• Post Race Food & Beverage in a Social Setting

• A Sustainable Event

• Part of The We Run Winston Race Series by Fleet Feet Winston-Salem/Clemmons

• Part of The Race Series powered by Junction 311

HEATHY FUN FOR EVERYONE!

Thank you for volunteering to help out with the Cook Medical Beat the Heat events this year!  Everything is in place to make this another fantastic event.  We expect close to 800 participants.  Thankfully, we also have a great crew of volunteers signed up to help!

Please download and read the information in Volunteer Information Packet below.

Beat the Heat 5K History 1989-present

The Beat the Heat 5K began in 1989 as the Coors Lite Saturday Night Fever 5K. It offered an alternative to the early morning races with an evening schedule and a social atmosphere afterwards. It was modeled after a similar event in Greensboro, the Tavern Tour. In the first year The Saturday Night Fever 5K drew 335 finishers.

In 1990 Planters, whose headquarters was located next to the race course became the financial sponsor and assisted with promotion. The race was renamed the Planters Saturday Night Fever 5K and drew 423 participants. In 1991, when Planter’s launched their Munch ‘n Go product line, the race became the Planters Munch ‘n Go 5K Road Race. Enhanced promotion brought in 723 participants and numerous spectators. Over the next five years the race continued to draw 700+ 5K runners and 200+ children in the one mile fun run. Planter’s product introduction brought a new name in 1995, the Planters Run for FitNUTS 5K. In 1996 Planters relocated to New Jersey and although they remained a sponsor for that year, their participation in the race was limited, and the number of runners dropped to under 600.

1997 brought a new name and a new sponsor, the Hanes Beefy-T Family 5K. Hanes provided marketing and production assistance with a new logo and brochure produced by their marketing department. Hanes also provided T-shirts and printing assistance. Attendance slipped to the 400’s in 1997 and 300’s in 1998 and 1999. After 1999 Hanes moved on to sponsor the Salem Lake Trail Runs and our club was now faced with finding a new sponsor for the 5K run.

In 2000, 4 Runners Only, a running store located in Reynolda Village stepped up and the event was renamed the Beat the Heat 5K. The combined attendance of the 5K and fun run remained in the 300-400 range for several years.

Beginning in 2007, the club began adding new features to the race to add more appeal and excitement to the race.  From 2007 to 2012, attendance grew to a peak of close to 1,000 race participants.  Since that time, more than 700 people have participated each year in the Beat the Heat races.

In 2008, Beat the Heat began hosting the NC USTAF 5K Championship.  This brought a new level of excitement to the race.  In the first 4 years of hosting this championship event, local native Bobby Mack set new course records each year.  Beginning in 2016, the NC USATF 5K Championship race began running as a separate race immediately following the regular Beat the Heat 5K race.  The championship race is run on a modified 3 lap course creating a great spectator event.

In 2016, Beat the Heat added charity partners to the event.  The Charity Partner program is a way to further support the event mission to promote fitness and health, and improve the quality of life for individuals and families.  All proceeds beyond race expenses go to non-profit organizations.

In 2017, Cook Medical became the presenting sponsor for Beat the Heat, providing further assistance and resources for meeting event goals and supporting community health and fitness.

In 2020, the races were converted to Virtual Only as the COVID-19 pandemic made it unsafe to hold in person races.  Packet Pickup was set up as a drive through with start/finish lines to provide a race like experience.  Numerous videos were produced and aired on YouTube to provide virtual race information and instructions.  A live awards ceremony was conducted via Instagram Live on the Sunday following race day.  Several innovations resulted in a successful event in light of the challenges presented. Remarkably, over 400 people registered for the virtual events with 355 results posted.

2021 was another year of change with a return to live in-person racing, but a venue change to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds.  Construction on the Wake Forest  property required an unexpected move with only 3 weeks to go before the race.  While the change was made quickly, it worked out well and the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds was  selected as the permanent future venue for Beat the Heat. 

In 2022, a competitive One Mile Youth race for ages 5-13 was added to the lineup.

In 2024, the RRCA 5K State Championship replaced the NC USATF 5K Championship and the elite race transitioned to an elite open race with no residency or membership requirements.

Beat the Heat Race Directors
2007 – present Er Ralston
2002 – 2006 Dave Cook
2000 – 2001 Jeff Sherman
1998 – 1999 Sandy Wetherhold
1997 John Brazil
1994 – 1996 Annie Morehead
1992 – 1993 Susan McKarns
1991 Debbie Davis
1990 Sandy Wetherhold
1989 Guy Oldaker

Beat the Heat Winners 1997 to present (click here or download the pdf at the bottom of this page)

Beat the Heat Results prior to 2016 can be found on the Twin City Track Club Legacy Results Page.

Beat Heat 5K Records:

Open Male - Luis Vargas 14:08.4 (2017)
Open Female - Blake Phillips Russell 16:11 (1999)

A bonus prize of $200 will be offered for setting a new course record.

 North Carolina 5K Records

Open Male - Donnie Cowart  14:05 (2022)
Open Female - Laura Mykytok 15:50 (1994)

A bonus prize of $1,000 will be offered for setting a new NC USATF state record in the open division for 5K distance.  Record must be recognized as official by USATF to receive the prize money.

Database of North Carolina Road Running Records (click here)

Twin City Track Club is pleased to provide important information to local media sources about the Beat the Heat races scheduled for July 22, 2023 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  We welcome the opportunity to further share our story with you and your audience through live interviews and/or appearances.

Event Website: https://www.bth5k.org/

Contact Information:
Er Ralston, Race Director
beattheheat@twincitytc.org
336-749-7008

Download and view the attached document for important media information.

Thank for helping to spread the word about Beat the Heat!  Attracting others to join the race enhances our ability to provide Healthy Fun for Everyone.

Download the attached pdf file for a printable poster.

Yard Signs are also available if you have a highly visible location where a sign can be placed. Contact the race director for more information about yard signs. 

Post on social media and share our posts!

@bth5k and @twincitytc on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

RSVP on our Facebook event here! https://www.facebook.com/events/1034540335211316

• The Winston-Salem Police Department and/or Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office will be stationed along the 5K route for traffic control, safety and security.

• Course monitor volunteers will be stationed at key intersections to guide participants and provide assistance as needed.  

• Bicycle volunteers will monitor the race to keep runners safe and on the racecourse with a special focus on race leaders and sweeping the back of the field.

• Volunteers will be stationed near the race finish for any persons in need of medical assistance.

• All volunteers are instructed to contact their Volunteer Captain or the Race Director in the event of any emergency situation that arises during the event.  Call 911 first if appropriate.

• In the event of severe inclement weather, the race may be delayed or cancelled.  Announcements will be made on the PA system and communicated by messaging to Volunteer Captains. 

• For rain only conditions (no immediate risk of lightning or high winds), we will continue with the schedule. 

• Absent an announcement to the contrary, the races will proceed as scheduled.

Information for Sponsors, Exhibitors, Partners, Teams at 2025 Beat the Heat 5K 

We look forward to having sponsors, exhibitors, partners and teams as part of the event. Per prior arrangements, we will reserve space for you to set up a tent/table and/or booth in the post-race events area near refreshments and awards. Most spaces are 10’ x 10’. Unless other arrangements were made, you should provide own set-up. Tents and tables are acceptable. Sorry, but we cannot guarantee access to electrical power.

Set up is between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.  Access will be limited after 5:30pm. Click here to download exhibitor layout information. You will set up inside the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds.

If you need to access to your spot by vehicle, you'll need to arrive early and enter through the East Gate (#7) off Shorefair Drive.  You will need a gate pass to enter the fairgrounds.  Click here to download and print a gate entry pass.

If you are bringing a canopy tent, please bring some weights or some other method to hold down the tent in case of windy conditions. 

Jogging strollers are allowed in the Cook Medical Beat the Heat events, including the fun run and 5K walk/run events. We ask that strollers begin in a position where they do not impede faster runners or walkers.

An additional waiver must be signed by a parent or adult guardian for any children that will be stroller riders.  You can download a copy of the waiver below and bring it with you to the race or email in advance to beattheheat@twincitytc.org.

Thanks to all who responded to our participant survey!  Here are some highlights of your responses:

• 94% expressed overall satisfaction with the race
• 90% of participants are likely to recommend the race to others
• The highest rated race features were Race Registration, Volunteers, Pre-Race Info and Packet Pickup
• The greatest opportunity for improvement is Race Parking
• Most commonly mentioned things participants like: Atmosphere, Great race, Course, Fun, Volunteers, Food, Elite Race

What Participants Like About Beat the Heat:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Twin City Track Club
beattheheat@twincitytc.org | https://www.twincitytc.org/

 
Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K Selected as 2026 Road Runners Club of America National Championship

Winston-Salem, NC – September 15, 2025 – The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) has announced that the Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K has been selected as the 2026 RRCA National Championship 5K race. The event will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds.

The RRCA Championship Event Series is the largest grassroots-organized running series in the U.S., featuring more than 200 races that attract nearly 300,000 participants annually. Each year, RRCA designates State, Regional, and National Championship Events through a competitive bidding process. The goal of the series is to celebrate and shine a spotlight on well-run, community-focused races while recognizing top-performing athletes.

RRCA Championship Events include special awards for: Open male and female, 40+ male and female, 50+ male and female, 60+ male and female, open adaptive athlete male and female, and nonbinary.

In announcing the selection, RRCA Program Director Andy Smith noted that the Beat the Heat application stood out among many strong contenders:

“The RRCA board felt the Beat the Heat bid and the outstanding job that Twin City Track Club did hosting the RRCA State Championship met the criteria and standards set forth by the organization.”

The Twin City Track Club (TCTC), host of the Beat the Heat races, announced recently that Cook Medical has extended its Presenting Sponsorship through 2028, continuing a long-standing partnership with the event.

“The City of Winston-Salem is honored to have been chosen to host the RRCA National 5K Championship in 2026.  I congratulate the Twin City Track Club for their work to secure this prestigious event for our City,” said Allen Joines, Mayor of Winston-Salem.

"We are proud to be a longstanding presenting sponsor of Beat the Heat 5k, a vibrant event that brings our community together in fun and fitness while supporting vital charitable causes," said Tamisha Clark, GM and VP of Operations at Cook Winston-Salem. "This enduring partnership exemplifies our strong commitment to fostering meaningful connections within our community, and we eagerly look forward to an even more successful event in 2026."

The Beat the Heat races have a strong tradition of community impact. In 2025, the races raised $7,420 for charity partners Ainsley’s Angels of the Triad and Girls on the Run Greater Piedmont, bringing total charitable contributions since 2016 to more than $68,000. The 2025 edition welcomed 786 participants from 9 states, supported by 124 volunteers and 26 race sponsors including Cook Medical.

Now entering its twenty-sixth year under the Beat the Heat name, the event has become a Winston-Salem summertime tradition. The evening lineup includes a Family Fun Run/Walk (1 mile), the Beat the Heat 5K for all walkers and runners, and the Elite 5K showcasing top-level competition. True to its tagline, “Healthy Fun for Everyone,” the event offers something for participants of all ages and abilities, along with lively post-race and family-friendly festivities.

The Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K has proudly hosted the RRCA North Carolina State 5K Championship in 2024 and 2025, and the city of Winston-Salem itself was designated a Runner Friendly Community by RRCA in 2021, further highlighting the region’s commitment to running and active living.

 
About Twin City Track Club

Beat the Heat is hosted by the Twin City Track Club, Inc. (TCTC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting running and fitness in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina area. Over its 48-year history, TCTC has served runners and walkers of all abilities, hosted community programs, supported charity causes, and assisted with numerous organized running events. Learn more at www.twincitytc.org or follow @twincitytc on social media.

About Cook Medical

At Cook Medical, we are passionate about making unique, quality medical devices and connecting with people to improve lives. Founded on inventing, manufacturing, and delivering medical devices, we provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to help their patients return to living. 

Our commitment to innovation involves bringing new products to market and keeping existing products relevant to a changing healthcare landscape. We believe in using our business to help people and communities thrive by creating inclusive, supportive, and healthy environments. 

We are proud of our history of innovative firsts and the impact we have on patients and communities. With headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, and manufacturing facilities and offices in various global locations, we challenge ourselves to maintain a global perspective while focusing on local impact. 

Follow Cook Medical at CookMedical.com and on LinkedIn. 

About Road Runners Club of America (RRCA)

Founded in 1958, the Road Runners Club of America is the oldest and largest national association dedicated to growing the sport of running. Through its Championship Event Series, education programs, and Runner Friendly Community designation, RRCA supports runners of all ages and abilities. More at https://www.rrca.org/.