Prepare for a unique experience in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with the Farm to Fork Ride or Run each spring. Hosted by Extra Table, the event features seven distinct race routes. Riders can choose from a 34-mile bike ride, a 48-mile bike ride, or a 62-mile bike ride, each offering its own challenges and stunning scenery. For runners, there are 5K, 10K, and half marathons. In 2024, the race has been expanded to include a standard loop through the beautiful and historic downtown, adding a new and exciting element to the event.
The event isn’t about who can run the fastest or pedal the hardest; it’s about feeding the hungry. Proceeds from the Extra Table race help feed food-insecure Mississippians across the state, and there’s a great opportunity for participants to enjoy Hattiesburg’s culinary offerings at area restaurants and an epic post-race party at The Barn at Bridlewood.
Things to do in Hattiesburg: Explore Longleaf Trace
All events, except the critical event, occur in or around Longleaf Trace Trail 44 mileswhich connects Hattiesburg to Prentiss. This Railroad Hall of Fame-winning trail is Mississippi's premier rail trail, with plenty of shade and well-maintained sidewalks. You'll enjoy this beautiful trail during the event, but take some time to explore it further while you're out and about.
My favorite part of the Trace is the 30-mile section from the Longleaf Trace Gateway across from the University of Southern Mississippi to Bassfield Station. This route has seven stops and avoids the hill climb from Prentiss and the roads leading into downtown. The entire route is great if you want to go back and forth or if you have a friend who will pick you up at Prentiss.
Things to Do in Hattiesburg: Explore Downtown
You can pick up your race bag in downtown Hattiesburg, so this is the perfect time to explore things to do in downtown Hattiesburg. The city is on its way to becoming City of a Hundred MuralsThe 50th large-scale mural will be unveiled in January 2024. It is also home to Pocket Museum And many statues, so the art tours are fun and productive. There is selective shopping in Lucky Rabbitcraft beer in South banand many award-winning restaurants.
The town comes alive with the opening of Farm to Fork. The perfect evening would be to stay in town after picking up the package and enjoy some live music in the park while Live at 5As the sun sets, take a walk along the racetrack that winds through historic downtown, passing historic buildings like the Saenger Theater and the Hattiesburg Bottling Company, and watch the races. Group B is a crowd favorite due to the high-speed turns and large groups. Head to any of the downtown restaurants for a delicious dinner when you’re hungry to complete a fun and eventful night on the town.
Farm to Fork Ride
The day begins with a mass start from the barn in Bridlewood, and all distancers must climb the “Hill Yeah” section to the first snack stop. There’s been a lot of hype around this section, including signs along the way and a cheering section, but I’d like to know if there’s a coastal bias even when calling it a hill. It’s only an 83-foot climb at a 3.5% gradient, which won’t tip the scales in Huntsville. The entire ride has rolling hills totaling about 2,800 feet over the 62-mile course.
Once you leave the barn, you’ll ride through pastoral countryside with the ever-present scent of honeysuckle. The spring weather is generally cool and pleasant, a welcome relief for Nordic riders looking to escape the clutches of winter. When they say this ride feeds people, they’re not kidding. Each water station has delicious treats ranging from specialty popsicles, cold cuts, fig balls, and more. You may have to save room for the after-ride party, though you’ll burn around 2,000 calories on the ride!
Finish line party in the barn
Nearly a thousand people come to Farm to Fork each year, and whether you're riding or running, the event starts and ends at the Barn at Bridlewood. That's where a finish line ceremony begins for all participants.
You’ll find live music, a beer tent, goat yoga, axe throwing, sack painting, and more food from local restaurants than you can possibly eat. It’s fun and festive. It’s also a striking contrast between your abundance and the 670,000 hungry Mississippians. Extra table Don't worry; there are plenty of donation opportunities if you'd like to contribute more than the race fee.
Horseback Riding Training From Farm to Table
The Farm to Fork trail is an early season trail, so your training profile will depend on how much riding you can do during the winter. I live in Huntsville, Alabama, where the winters are mild enough that I have continued to mountain bike regularly. One of my favorite parts of the experience was having a mountain biker friend, George, train with me and ride the Farm to Fork trail with me.
George is active in local cycling clubs, so he started looking for group rides for us a couple months before Farm to Fork. We started with 30-mile rides and added about 10 miles a week to build strength, endurance, group cycling skills, and etiquette. With this routine, I felt ready for the 62-mile ride. We also used Farm to Fork as a final training ride for the Natchez Trace Century the following week, making it a great combination for a cycling event.
Final Thoughts on Farm to Fork Riding
I liked last Friday's race in downtown Hattiesburg more than I expected. It's a very exciting race and a lot of fun to watch, especially the agility and strength of a close group of racers racing fast around the corners.
Staying in a tiny house at Longleaf Piney Resort was the best option for race-related accommodations. Hanging out at the resort was a great bonding experience, and it’s only a five-minute bike ride along the Trace to the Barn at Bridlewood. The resort has a limited number of houses, so be sure to book early for the event. You can also plan to book a room at the resort at any time and spend the weekend on your own exploring Hattiesburg and Longleaf Trace.
I wish I had done more bike riding on the Trace. The Trace is only 5.7 miles long on the race course. Next time, I would consider doing the 50-mile route (which also starts an hour later) and saving some energy to ride more of the Trace, like a post-race bike ride on Saturday and a longer bike ride on Sunday. There are options, but the Longleaf Trace is absolutely gorgeous and not to be missed, especially if you have your bike and are there!
Overall, I was very impressed with the Farm to Fork event and Hattiesburg as a host city.
Hi! We’re Jen and Ed Coleman, aka Coleman Concierge. In short, we’re a Gen X couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative, experiential, activity-based travel.
