Heat run held to commemorate Phoenix’s hottest day
Jun 21, 2013, 5:00 AM | Updated: 6:24 am
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Running enthusiasts from all over the world will converge on Scottsdale for the first annual “Beat the Heat” event Saturday.
The 5K and 11K race is meant to draw more tourists to the Valley during the summer months by commemorating the hottest day in Phoenix history. June 26, 1990, Phoenix reached 122 degrees.
“Really, the idea was let’s embrace the heat, let’s celebrate the heat, instead of all retreating from it like we do in the summer,” said event spokeswoman Jennifer Parks.
She said runners of all skill levels are encouraged to participate.
“In addition to all of the elite athletes that are going to be participating, we’re also going to have some recreational runners,” Parks said. “You don’t have to run the full race. If you need to stop to walk, that’s what we want people to do.”
Registration will begin indoors at the Tony Nelssen Equestrian Center at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The entry fee is $62.60 for the 11K race and $50.38 for the 5K race.
The first-place prize is $1,990 to commemorate the year the record was broken, along with a two-night all-inclusive stay at Hidden Meadow Ranch in Arizona’s White Mountains.
The race begins at 2:47 p.m., the exact time the record was set.
