A heat is timed portion of certain types of races. A heat is usually run over the same course with or without different conditions. The variables may include the contestants starting in different starting positions. The time to complete the heat for each individual could be added for a cumulative total or added and averaged. The individual with the lowest time from the heats is declared the race winner.
In another variation, a race with a large number of contestants but limited space on the course may run several heats each with different contestants. A designated number of top finishers from the preliminary heats advance to the final heat where the winner of the race is determined.
