The 2026 Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K is in the books!

It was a record year in many ways, including attendance and donations.  Thanks to everyone who participated as a runner, volunteer, donor or sponsor.  

By the Numbers

• • Record attendance with over 900 participants
  • Record number of teams with 470 team members representing 26 running teams
  • Record number of sponsors with 33 local organizations donating to the race
  • Record number of donors with 190 individuals donating over $7500 to local charities
  • Record charitable contributions with over $18,000 raised to support local charities

2026 Participant Survey Results

⭐ 4.69/5 Overall Satisfaction
💙 89% Plan to Return
🙌 89% Rated Volunteers Excellent
🤝 87% Said We Build Community
📣 Net Promoter Score: +87

RRCA National 5K Championship Results

1st Place Finishers
Open Female - Sammy McClintock - 31 - Raleigh, NC - 16:22.06
Open Male - Graham Crawford - 33 - Charlottesville, VA - 14:28.71
Open Nonbinary - Kaitlin Moore - 30 - Winston Salem, NC - 25:23.6
40+ Female - Megan Cooke - 46 - Hillsborough, NC - 19:03.88
40+ Male - Donnie Cowart - 40 - Winston-Salem, NC - 15:15.82
50+ Female - Ana Reutinger - 53 - Clemmons, NC - 23:23.37
50+ Male - Philip Molloy - 58 - Apex, NC - 18:06.31
60+ Female - Kay Evans - 64 - Chocowinity, NC - 23:36.24
60+ Male - Tim Spradlin - 61 - Gainesville, GA - 19:34.87
Adaptive Athlete - Logan Johncock - 28 - Hickory, NC - 22:01.6

2026 Race Highlight Video

Stay tuned for more informaiton about Beat the Heat 2027

Run Together. Save Together.

Teams make the race more fun—and more affordable.

💸 Discounts for teams of 5+

🎉 Perfect for friends, workplaces & run clubs

🏆 Team recognition & bragging rights

Over 400 runners joined a team last year!