With a chance to run in the hottest of the Arizona heat, people are flocking to Scottsdale, but it has got some local runners heated.

Scottsdale will be hosting the Beat the Heat race on Saturday, June 22. The event is an 11.22-kilometer run on the day after the Summer Solstice and the Saturday before the hottest day ever recorded in Phoenix. The race will begin at 2:47 p.m., the exact time the thermometer hit 122 degrees on June 26, 1990. While it most likely won’t be that hot this year, it sure will be hot and will give runners an extra challenge.

“It came about during discussions at the city of Scottsdale six months ago about marketing the city in the summer,” said Jason Rose, the founder of the event. “Then, we decided to launch an event to show that the summer can be a great time to visit and enjoy the valley. We believe the Beat the Heat run will grow into a signature event in Arizona for the summer.”

However, some Sedona runners have decided not to participate in the inaugural run, whether it’s because they know how dangerous the Arizona heat can be or for more controversial reasons.

For the full story, please see the Friday, May 31, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.