We Walk This City

Thank you to For the Love of GO! for bringing smiles and encouragement to Aid Station #4!

The volunteers at Aid Station #4 were ready with water, cheers, and plenty of positive energy for every runner who came through. Their support made a huge difference during those later miles!

For the Love of GO! encourages people to get moving, stay active, and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. We appreciate everything they do to inspire our community both on race day and throughout the year.

igotoffthecouch.com

Thank you for helping make Stars & Stripes such a great event!

We recently learned of some research being conducted at Texas State University on how to save lives from exertional heatstroke, specifically at races around Texas. We are posting the information below as a way to get the word out about this work and to give people the opportunity to communicate about their thoughts and experiences. The information below is provided by Dr. Kevin Miller of Texas State University.
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My name is Dr. Kevin Miller and I’m a researcher at Texas State University. My team and I are doing research on a way to save lives from exertional heatstroke at races around Texas, specifically at Tejas Trails and Athlete Guild events. If you’re interested, I’d like to tell you about this research and why it’s important. If you have questions or concerns about this study or want to answer some questions we have for you, please feel free to post in the comments section below!

ABOUT THE STUDY:

At outdoor races, there are some potential safety concerns. Participating in a race involves some risks like heart issues, dehydration, and heat illnesses. Some of these conditions, like heatstroke, are rare, but they can occur and result in medical emergencies that require immediate action.

We are partnering with Tejas Trails, Athlete Guild, and some companies that make equipment for heatstroke (Polar Products, Inc & RG Medical Diagnostics). One device is called the Polar Life Pod and it looks like a large body bag and holds up to 60 gallons of cold water. It allows us to cool you to a safe temperature of 102°F quickly and safely while monitoring your body temperature. This is the best way to treat heatstroke. However, it is difficult to obtain consent from runners in a life-threatening emergency. Federal regulations allow medical providers to treat people without prior consent in emergency situations. Therefore, we are notifying you that we will treat you without delay if you exhibit heatstroke symptoms during this race (e.g., irritability, confusion, loss of consciousness).

We monitor vital signs, including re**al temperature, and cognitive functions closely and also contact advanced medical support. If necessary, emergency medical providers will transport you to a hospital for further care. While we cannot guarantee positive outcomes, studies indicate a survival rate nearly 100% when people are cooled quickly and these procedures are followed. Once you recover, we will debrief you and obtain written consent for the treatment we provided.

Please feel free to post in the comments section below or reach out to Dr. Miller.

Specifically, we’d love to hear from you and get your thoughts on some or all of the following:

1. What do you think is the best way to measure someone’s body temperature if you suspect EHS? Why?

2. Do you think ear canal temperature can accurately measure internal body temperature? Why or why not?

3. How important are the following to a person’s outcome if they have EHS? Which do you think is most important?

a. How long their body temperatures stays dangerously hot (i.e., >104F)

b. Their internal body temperature at the time they collapsed

c. How dehydrated they are when they collapsed

d. Their gender

e. Their age

f. Their exercise intensity prior to collapse

g. How they were cooled

4. What is the best way to cool someone in an EHS emergency? Why?

5. As mentioned, we are using cold water inside the Polar Life Pod—a body bag device that accommodates individuals that are up to 400 lbs and 7 feet tall. Inside the PLP, we can fit an adult and around 55 gallons of ice water.

a. Do you think implementing cold water immersion in the Polar Life Pod would be an effective strategy to lower body temperature? Why or why not?

b. Do you have any concerns about using the Polar Life Pod to treat EHS victims in a road race setting? If yes, what are those concerns are and how you would mitigate them?

6. At this race, we are seeking consent from runners AFTER we lower their body temperature and their CNS activity has returned to normal. Normally in research, consent is done BEFORE a person participates in a study. In emergency situations like EHS,

a. Do you think it is necessary to cool the victim first or get their consent first?

b. What questions or concerns, if any, do you have about cooling the victim before consenting them?

7. Do you have any other concerns or questions about the procedures we are using at these races?

Beat the Heat is coming up! Get registered!
beattheheattx.com
Aug 22 - 7 AM
Run through the bays of the fire station - twice!

Come join us today! 7 AM - Cullen Elementary!
anthemcelebration.com

Y'all! Come see us tomorrow! They've got all sorts of goodies for ya!
anthemcelebration.com
Cullen Elementary - 7 AM start!

Giddy up! Let's go! It's the kick off for the new school year! We can't wait to see you and hear all about your summer at Sunfield Elementary for the Off to the Races 5K!

Aug 15 - 7 AM
offtotheraces5k.com

Hornet Races is coming September 19! Come meet your friends!
hornetraces.com
Sept 19
Tom Green Elementary

You know it's never too early to sign up for The Jingle Bell Run! Sign up today and add it to your calendar!
Dec 12, 2026
Be there with bells on!
TheJingleBellRun.com

Can't remember if you're registered? Go here and search by the first few letters of your first or last name: https://www.athleteguild.com/event/san-marcos-tx/2026-santas-jingle-bell-run-5k-and-kids-k/athletes

Beat the Heat is back!! We can't wait to see you all again in downtown Kyle on August 22!
Run through the bays of the fire station - TWICE!

Volunteers and participants needed - beattheheattx.com
Aug 22 - 7 AM
5K and 5K Bunked Out Relay

Proceeds benefit The Maltese Mission!

Oh how we love this race! Come join us as we raise funds for KLEA's Blue Santa Program!
Sept 26 - 5Miler OR 5K
dam5miler.com