Beth Scharwath, REALTOR® | 30 Years Serving Hattiesburg Published: May 30, 2026
Quick Answer: Spend Global Running Day 2026 — Wednesday, June 3 — on the Longleaf Trace, the 44-mile paved Rails-to-Trails path from Hattiesburg to Prentiss. Start at the Gateway (2895 W. 4th Street). Stations sit roughly every four miles with restrooms, water, and shade. Pine Belt Pacers runs group meet-ups if you’d rather not solo it.
Quick confession: I do not run. I have never run. (I do run around in my car all day showing houses, which I’m told doesn’t count.) If you see me running on foot, please call 911 because something is chasing me.
But I asked Hattiesburg where to spend Global Running Day, and the answer came back unanimous: the Trace. So here’s the guide, from someone who absolutely will not be there with you.
When is Global Running Day in 2026?
Wednesday, June 3. It’s always the first Wednesday in June. Don’t trust any social post telling you it’s June 1 — that’s wrong.
Where should you actually start your run?
It depends on how far you’re going. Here are a few ideas:
- A quick mile or two → James Lynn Cartlidge Gateway (2895 W. 4th St.) — the main trailhead, parking, restrooms, water, half a mile from Hardy Street coffee after.
- A short in-city run with a food stop → From the Gateway, head east along the in-city Trace. About a mile in, you’ll cross Main Street where Jamba Jollof (1015 N. Main) sits right on the path. New Nigerian and West African food — try the jollof rice. (Closed Wednesdays, so check their hours if you’re going on Global Running Day.)
- Three to six shaded miles → Jackson Road Station (77 Jackson Road) — quieter, plenty of pine canopy, popular with the early-morning crowd. Jed’s Perfect Endurance Bikes sits right at the station (68 Jackson Road) — rentals, repairs, showers, and a full coffee bar (Jed’s Perfect Brew) inside. One-stop shop for a Trace day.
- A long run or training day → Clyde Depot (Railroad Road, off Old Hwy. 42) — pushes you toward the Sumrall stretch, the prettiest part of the Trace once you clear town.
- A destination run with a meal at the turnaround → Gateway to Sumrall and back. Downtown Burger sits right at the Sumrall Depot (75 Railroad Avenue) — burgers, wings, milkshakes, exactly what you want after the miles.
What’s the deal with the Trace?
44 paved miles. Ten feet wide. Under five percent grade the whole way. It’s a Rails-to-Trails conversion that runs Hattiesburg → Sumrall → Bassfield → Carson → Prentiss. Rest stops with restrooms and water every four miles. No street traffic except at marked crossings. Free.
It’s a National Recreation Trail and the official site is longleaftrace.org if you want the full map.
Who runs the Trace with you?
The Pine Belt Pacers — the local running club affiliated with the Trace. They post group runs and training calendars. If you’d rather not solo it on a Wednesday, this is the move. They’re easiest to find via longleaftrace.org/get-involved.
Is there an actual Global Running Day 5K in Hattiesburg?
Yes — and you should sign up for it. Fleet Feet’s The Big Run presented by Brooks kicks off at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 3, starting from Southern Prohibition Brewing on Mobile Street downtown. It’s a community 5K with custom bibs, shirts, and finisher medals for the first 200 registrants — and it loops back to SoPro for the post-race party.
Don’t miss the post-party:
- One free beer ticket for participants 21+ (courtesy of SoPro)
- DJ + cold plunges + more surprises
Logistics:
- $38.10 (includes shirt + $3.10 fee)
- No race-day registration — sign up beforehand
- Packet pickup: June 2 at Fleet Feet (10 AM–6 PM) OR race day at SoPro starting at 4 PM
- Timing by MS Race Timing
I’ll be at my computer answering emails. But if you go, send me a finish-line photo. The cold plunge looks like the most ambitious post-race recovery this town has ever attempted.
The Bottom Line
Global Running Day is Wednesday, June 3. The Longleaf Trace is the answer. Park at the Gateway, pick a distance you’ll actually finish, and start before the heat does.
I’ll be at my computer. Send me a photo.
Beth Scharwath | REALTOR® | RE/MAX Real Estate Partners | (601) 606-3001 | bethscharwath.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Longleaf Trace free to use? A: Yes — it’s a public linear park. Free for walking, running, biking, inline skating, and equestrian use on the designated equestrian trail.
Q: How long does it take to run the full 44 miles? A: A trained runner does it in six to seven hours. Most people break it into multi-day relays or section runs.
Q: Are there bathrooms and water along the way? A: Yes — stations every four miles with restrooms and water fountains. The first ten to fifteen miles out of Hattiesburg also have vending machines.
Q: Can I bring my dog? A: Yes — leashed dogs welcome. (I wouldn’t have written this post if they weren’t; anyone who knows me knows where I stand on dogs.) Bring water for them too — the paved surface heats up fast.
Q: Is there an actual 5K race for Global Running Day in Hattiesburg? A: Yes — Fleet Feet’s The Big Run presented by Brooks at 6:00 PM on June 3, 2026, starting from Southern Prohibition Brewing on Mobile Street downtown. $38.10 entry, no race-day registration. Register at runsignup.com.