Race Details
Come and join us at Heat Wave 6/12/24, a Kansas Ultrarunners' Society event! This will take place on the district track in Rose Hill, Kansas June 12-13, 2026. 6, 12, and 24 hour events will begin at 6AM Friday June 12; there are also options for 6 and 12 hour nighttime events starting at 6PM June 12 for moonlight miles and to help keep those 24 hour racers motivated!
Live chip timing service will be utilized, and local photographers Bev Leete & James Patterson will be on site throughout to capture all the fun!
***If you are not in to racing but still want to participate, the 'Volunteer' button is live -- select any one or multiple shifts you would like and help us make this an amazing event!***
Course
The course is a 400 Meter track at Rose Hill District Stadium, 323 E. School St., Rose Hill, Kansa and is USATF certified!!!! Course Certification ID: KS25008TJD
How many miles can you achieve?! Each lap will be meticulously counted via chip timing with a TV screen at the start/finish line so you will easily know your cumulative distance throughout your race. Keep in mind: 4 laps = .99 mile or 1600 meters and 1609 meters = 1 mile. Your official race distance will most certainly be different than what shows up on your personal mileage tracker (watch, phone, etc.)!!!! Laps/mileage will ONLY be counted per the timing service.
It is important for the timing officials to focus their attention on racers crossing the start/finish and monitoring the computers, thus if any questions/disputes related to laps/mileage arise, those must be presented to a Race Director or designated appointee (these persons will be identified at the start of the race) who will speak with the timing officials about the concern and get back to the questioner. (This is not to imply that no one should speak with the timing person(s), but we do want to minimize disruptions! Not abiding by this rule may be grounds for disqualification.)
Every 3 hours, the event will change directions -- 1st switch at 9AM, then 12PM, 3PM, 6PM, 9PM, 12AM, & 3AM ...this will give the 6hr racers a course change 1/2 way through + make the 6/12hr day & night starts both counter-clockwise.
Check-In & Schedule
- Thursday June 11: Early packet pick-up 5:30-8 PM (all events)
- All racers must check-in by 5:30 (AM/PM) prior to their event start time
- Friday June 12 Day Events: Packet pick-up & check-in - June 12 4:30-5:30 AM
- National Anthem followed by Race briefing ~5:45 AM
- 6/12/24 Hour 6 AM start!
- 6 Hour Finish at 12 PM
- 12 Hour Finish at 6 PM
- Friday June 12 Night Events: Packet pick-up & check-in 4:30-5:30 PM
- 6/12 Hour 6 PM start!
- 6 Hour Finish June 13 at 12 AM
- 12/24 Hour Finish June 13 at 6 AM
Aid Station
The event will have a primary aid station at the covered concessions area on the N side of the track. We will provide ice, water, and Ultraverse Supplements Proxima C. Light food items will also be available: a variety of fruit (watermelon, etc), chips, cookies. Also, ramen and mashed potatoes by request. Please feel free to bring any item to leave at the aid station and share with participants!
Heat Wave is a CUP-LESS RACE, so be sure to bring a drinking vessel that you can fill! There will be designated areas where you can set up your aid around the track for you to pause as often as you need. Racers are welcome to set their own supplies in the aid station area under the stadium entryway cover, but there is limited space and it is first-come, first-serve.
Crew/Self-Aid Info
The course will be crowded since it is on a track, so pacers will NOT be allowed during the event. Tents and pop-ups will only be permitted in designated areas, which will NOT include the infield turf. Dogs may be kept in the parking lot or in the south stadium covered entryway, but will NOT be allowed in the track or infield area.
***When you exit the track to the event aid station or to your own aid station, you must enter the track again at the same place where you exited.***
Track Etiquette
We adopt rules from similar races. With so many runners going for PRs or even state records, we want to avoid collisions and conflict. All runners must follow these rules:
- -Absolutely no littering!!
- -ALWAYS hug the inside lane if you are running at a reasonable pace relative to other runners. Never try to predict another runner coming from behind or make room for them on the inside because they are going faster than you.
- -Leave room for other runners to pass in the outside of lane 1, not all the way in lane 2.
- -Runners passing from behind will always move to the outside of lane 1 to make a pass.
- -If multiple runners are passing at the same time at different speeds, the inside of lane 2 is reserved for double passes.
- -If you are taking an extended walk-break or have slowed enough to disrupt the flow of the rest of the race, please use the outside of lane 2 or inside of lane 3.
- -If you are getting aid or using the restroom and need to get to the outside of lane 2, always check that you will not cut off another runner by doing so.
- -Runners who are using short walk-breaks as a strategy for hitting their goals are permitted to do so without moving to the outside of lane 2. This rule is meant to impact runners who have slowed to the point of missing their stated goals or records and are taking an extended walk break and thus disrupting the flow of the event.
- -While we love the camaraderie of ultrarunning, please keep the camaraderie in a single file line, not multiple people across multiple lanes.
To summarize: Inside of lane 1 - running or strategic walk breaks Outside of lane 1 - passing Inside of lane 2 - passing with multiple people Outside of lane 2 (& beyond) - Slow/walking
Awards & Swag
Each participant will receive a t-shirt with the race logo and some extra goodies in their welcome packet. All finishers will receive a medal! Complete a distance of 50K, 50Mi, 100K or 100Mi for a custom belt buckle. Top finishers (1st place) - male and female - of each event will receive a trophy.
***Heat Wave and 6/12/24 Hour Doubler Award!! Compete in HEAT WAVE 6/12/24 + KUS 6/12/24 Hour [held in November] consecutive events and receive a custom medal!!! (Any time, any distance -- no minimums -- at both events qualifies.)***
Age Limit
All runners under 18 years old must have a parent or designated guardian either running the race or at the race AT ALL TIMES.
Noise Notice
Being that the track is located across from residential homes, we ask that all participants in the nighttime hours (dusk to dawn) be respectful and keep the noise level at a minimum. No shouting or yelling, no loud music, etc. We will give a warning 1 time for any noise deemed excessive. If the noise offense is repeated, Race Directors will disqualify the participant as seen fit.
Medical Needs
Heat Wave will not have anyone appointed on-site to attend to medical needs. Seeking medical attention is at the discretion of the racer and/or their crew. Should someone on-site offer medical assistance, the racer assumes all risk and will hold Heat Wave harmless of any potential adverse occurrence or injury. However, should a serious medical need arise that a participant must leave the event and/or a call to local EMS is placed, please alert the Race Director as quickly as possible!
FAQs
- -Do I have to run the whole time? Absolutely not! Whether running or walking, only completed laps count. Please always reserve lane 1 for those who are running. When you exit the track to the event aid station or to your own aid station, you must enter the track again at the same place where you exited.
- -Can I bring a camper or sleep in my vehicle? Yes - this is allowed in the stadium's north parking lot.
- -Can I setup a tent or easy-up? Yes, but only in designated areas. See event photo of the stadium with notes regarding self-support/crew station allowances and/or speak to the Race Director about this at check-in.
- -Do I have to race the full 6, 12 or 24 hours to receive a finisher award? You do not. You are welcome to stop whenever you like, but please let the Race Director know before you leave the race if you stop early -- it is your responsibility to pick up your finisher award or you be responsible for shipping cost after the event if it needs to be mailed.
- -Can I get a refund if I change my mind? No, but we can defer your entry one time to next year's race. If you must defer, reach out prior to June 6th! (Race day deferrals not allowed.) If you elect to drop to a different time event, that also must be known by June 6th and no refund will be given, or vice versa if you want to move up to a greater time then the balance at the current pricing will be due.
- -What happens if there is lightning? If the weather turns bad after the race begins, we will direct everyone to shelter. However, we will keep the clock running and we will resume when the weather has passed.
- -What if the race is cancelled for bad weather? Kansas storms are common in June, but we will do everything in our power to avoid a race cancellation (in which case, no refunds will be available). In the event that a severe storm is forecasted on race day, we would move to a later date [such as beginning on Saturday June 13th] and would notify participants as soon as possible. If a participant is unable to make it on the rescheduled date, we would give a one time deferral to next year's race.
- -What accommodations are in the area? There are several hotel selections in the outer-lying metropolitan areas nearby (Andover and Derby are closest to Rose Hill with hotels), as well as some local B&B-style offerings. Last year I contacted local lodging options (like Airbnb) and those owners agreed to discounts for race participants... I will do so again before the 2026 event -- please join the Heat Wave Facebook group and a post will be made when information for that is available.
KUS Members Kansas Ultrarunners' Society members receive a $5 discount off registration price! Please navigate to the KUS website link (at top of page) to learn more and sign up as a KUS member. **If you are a KUS member and your discount does not automatically apply, please email [email protected] for a coupon code BEFORE completing your registration! Discounts can not be applied after payment is processed.**