At 81 degrees, the 2023 Beat the Heat race was cooler than the normal 88 degrees, but there was warmth of another kind, in the camaraderie of the race and the generosity of our community.
From the story of sibling sportsmanship in the Youth 1-Mile race to the outpouring of donations for our two charity partners, this year’s event highlighted the best in our Runner-Friendly Community.
First, a few numbers
- Number of 5K runners/walkers: 611
- Number of 1-mile runners/walkers: 143
- First time 5K runners: 67
- Number of teams: 23
- Number of states represented: 11
- Number of repeat participants: 314
- Number of sponsors: 26
- Charity donations: $12,977.52 (a record!)
- Prize money awarded: $5,650
- Percentage of participants who would recommend the race: 92%
Race finishes
The Youth 1-Mile racers continue to grow in numbers and improve in their times. The Top 8 finishers in 2023 beat the top times in 2022 by at least 8 seconds. Siblings Zibby and Eli Jahnes came in first and second overall, with times of 6:41.30 and 6:42.41 respectively.
In the 5K race, Austin Sullivan came out on top among the men with a time of 16:33.74 and Kathryn Hayes was the top female finisher at 18:41.88, also beating out the top times for 2022.
In the Elite USA Track and Field 5K, Donnie Cowart bested a field of 27 talented runners with a time of 14:45.4 and Ryen Frazier took top honors among a field of 14 runners with a time of 16:58.0.
And 26 Ainsley’s Angels athletes crossed the finish line, with Bill Johncock coming in first at 21:36.78.
And if you like to plan ahead, mark your calendar for Beat the Heat 2024 on July 20.