A 2026 RRCA National Championship 5K race.

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.

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.