Since 2021, Extra Table has hosted Farm to Fork Ride and Run, a cycling and running event that helps to raise money to support food pantries across the state. With a cap at 1,500 participants, this year’s event is the biggest it’s ever been. The race has continued to grow and keeps bringing cyclists and runners back to Hattiesburg each year.
“There’s a big interest,” said Rhonda Hayden, Director of Development for Extra Table. “We’ve got great roads for cyclists to get out on, and the Longleaf Trace is such an asset to our area.”
Extra Table uses money from the race to purchase food for food pantries that they provide for monthly. In 2021, it cost $55,000 to provide food to all their food pantries for one month.
Although they’ve added more pantries each year, they have still been able to fill all their pantries for one month just from the funds raised from the race. As of now, Extra Table has 67 pantries, which costs $85,000 to fill every month. With race registration having sold out by the third week of February and with sponsorships, Extra Table will be able to cover that cost as well.
On Saturday, May 13, races begin at The Barn at Bridlewood. The runners will run along the Longleaf Trace, while the cyclists will ride through winding roads and climb hills around Lamar County. Once the athletes have completed their race, they will end at a finish line party back at The Barn at Bridlewood. From live music and axe throwing to culinary bites prepared by local chefs and rehydration cocktails mixed by Stokes Distributing, the athletes will all have something to look forward to when they cross the finish line.
“We want to showcase food to our athletes and remind them how food brings joy and pleasure, and it also fuels you,” said Hayden. “We want to communicate to our racers, by putting on such a production with the food that we provide, that that’s how we treat the clientele that come to the food pantries every month.”
Cyclists have the option to bike 62, 48, or 34 miles and runners can participate in a 5k, 10k, or a half marathon. “Between the half marathon, 5k, 10k, and also all of our cycling distance, we actually have to man 112 miles of road and the Longleaf Trace,” said Hayden. “So, we encourage spectators to come out on those 112 miles.”
Spectators are also encouraged cheer on the athletes the night before at the Farm to Fork CRITerium. On Friday, May 12 from 6 - 9 p.m., cyclists will race in the criterium, which is like the NASCAR of cycling.
“You draft off of each other, there has to be so many turns on the racecourse, and the racecourse has to be between .6 miles and 1.1 miles, and ours is .8 miles,” said Hayden. “We really want it to be a spectator friendly event.” The start and finish line will be between the Saenger Theater and City Hall.
For more information on these events, visit Farm to Fork Ride Run on Facebook.
