Beat the Heat 5K

JUL

18

2026

An evening race in Winston-Salem on July 18, 2026 featuring a family mile, an open 5K and an elite 5K, with proceeds supporting local health and fitness charities and serving as the RRCA National 5K Championship.

Sat 18 Jul 2026

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Registration

5 kilometers

Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.

Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K

The Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K is an evening road race event held on July 18, 2026 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The event has run for more than 30 years and is presented by the Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K organizer as part of the We Run Winston race series by Fleet Feet Winston-Salem/Clemmons.

The event program includes a family mile and two 5K races: an open 5K and a spectator-friendly elite 5K. It has been selected multiple times by Endurance Magazine as a top 5K in the Triad area and was featured in Running Journal as the #1 “Under the Radar” race in the South. The 2026 event serves as the National 5K Championship race for the Road Runners Club of America.

Race features described by the organizer include an evening setting with a festive, supportive atmosphere, post-race food and beverage in a social setting, and inclusive events for a range of participant types. The event is a charity race with proceeds directed to local nonprofit organizations that support health and fitness in the community.

Distances: Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.