Beat the Heat 10K is a point to point foot race on the scenic and mostly shaded Wabash Trace trail. Proceeds will be donated to Southwest Iowa Nature Trails, Inc. (SWINT), a private, non-profit organization made up of volunteers who are committed to recreational trail development. SWINT members organize all official activities on the Wabash Trace.

Competitors will meet at Lewis Central Middle School and receive a bus ride to the starting point near the Zion Cemetery (off 240th St., Pottawattamie County, IA). They'll run from there to the Iowa West Foundation Trailhead Park in Council Bluffs. The post-race celebration and awards ceremony will be in the Athletics Building near Lewis Central Middle School. The 10k course is measured and the USATF certification code is IA14001GM.

Weather permitting, the race will start at 7:00 AM. Buses will transport participants, so ALL 10k competitors must be ready to board buses by 6:10 AM. The first bus will depart from the Middle School parking lot at 6:10 AM and the last bus will depart at 6:20AM, to the starting area.

Restrooms will be open in the Athletics Building from 5:30 AM and remain so until after the awards ceremony. Portable toilets and pre-race water will be available near the 10k starting line. Water stations will also be appropriately spaced on the route.

The race is open to runners of all abilities who can finish in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Online registration is open and will be capped at 250 entrants. Entry fee includes trail use fee, bus transportation for early registrants, Beat the Heat shirt and the fabulous post race celebration with food, drink, music and awards.

Packet pickup is as follows:

1. Friday July 6 from 5-8 PM at Fusion Fitness in Mall of the Bluffs (Park in the east parking lot and use the exterior door on the east side of the Mall of the Bluffs building). Do not attempt to enter Fusion Fitness from inside the Mall!
2. Saturday July 7 from Noon-3 PM at Fusion Fitness in Mall of the Bluffs (Park in the east parking lot and use the exterior door on the east side of the Mall of the Bluffs building). Do not attempt to enter Fusion Fitness from inside the Mall!
3. Sunday July 8 from 5:45-6:15 AM at Lewis Central Schools Athletic Building (Sunday packet pickup is discouraged because it may delay bus departure & race start times. It should only be used by those who are traveling a great distance to be here on race morning.)

Four maps, one of Mall of the Bluffs, its address, and an arrow directing you to the Fusion Fitness exterior door, another of Lewis Central Schools, it’s address, and an arrow pointing to the athletic building, and two maps of the Beat The Heat 10k race course are available online at tinyurl.com/qh2zph5

Race packets may be picked up by a friend or relative on Friday & Saturday.

Transportation is not required to reach the start of the 5K. Restrooms will be open in the Athletics Building from 5:30 AM and remain so until after the awards ceremony. Portable toilets & pre-race water will be available near the 10K starting line. Both races start at 7:00 AM SHARP!

As information, the Beat the Heat courses are measured and certified so that finisher times for the 10K can be used as qualification for the Omaha Corporate Cup seeded passes.

Maps with full street addresses of Mall of the Bluffs, Lewis Central Schools and of the race course are at https://tinyurl.com/qh2zph5

The 5K race is an out and back course, (NO BUS RIDE) starting also at 7:00 AM from near the trailhead park. Competitors will go out 1.55 miles to an aid station and then turn around and return to finish at the same finish line as the 10K.

5K registrations will also be capped at 250 entrants and the 1 hour, 45 minute time limit will apply. The 5K course is measured and the USATF certification code is IA16004GM.

SPACES WILL FILL UP QUICKLY, SO DON'T HESITATE, SIGN UP TODAY. 10k registration is $33 for the general public and $31 for Omaha Running Club members. 5k registration is $28 for the general public and $26 for ORC members. Prices increase $15 on June 26.

Late and race day registrations may be accepted, but those registrants are not guaranteed a shirt, nor are they guaranteed bus transportation to the 10K starting line. There is NO public parking at the 10K starting line. Competitors must be transported and dropped off there, with the included bus ride as the preferred method.

5k competitors are strongly encouraged to park at Lewis Central Schools.

For event-related questions, please click on the Contact the Organizers button on the left-hand side of this page.