Visiting Hattiesburg in June 2023, I looked for a place to get my runs done, and found the Longleaf Trace trail. After learning it was 44 miles from point to point, I was determined to one day run the entire length. I wanted to accomplish this in cooler temps, so I waited until winter to start the journey. I wore my 12L pack filled with plenty of calories, a few burritos and sandwiches to offset all the sugary gels, and 2.5L of water, extra socks, battery pack, and essential medicines/ointments in case of injury or pains. The temps were predicted to drop throughout the day, and it would be a cloudy run, but I prepared myself with a light windbreaker, gloves, and a beanie plus hat.
It was my wife's idea for me to start at Prentiss, the end of the trail, and run back towards Hattiesburg, making it a shorter ride home, and faster time to get food and comfort after a very long day. So we drove to Prentiss, where I started the 44 mile way back around 6 AM. I started in the dark, and wore my headlamp for the first 3 miles, as I expected the sun to come up after mile 3. Sun rose, and I was surrounded by a forest, a bit lonely, but the path was laid out straight in front of me. My only goal was to get back to town, one step at a time. I paced myself, running for 2.5 miles and walking for .5 for the first 10 miles. I went by Carson depot, and it was locked. Seeing how Prentiss had also been locked, I worried that the rest of the depots would also be locked, as it was a holiday weekend. Luckily, the water fountain was outside and it was on. I made my way to the next station, Bassfield, and this one was open. Refilled my bladder and soft flask, and with how windy it was, applied some ointments on my face and body. Continued on for the next stretch of farmlands and country roads, with no stations for the next 12 miles. I was a little worried, but I had enough fuel and had refilled my fluids. Kept to my pacing plan, run 2.5 miles, walk for .5 miles. Sumrall Depot was supposed to be at mile 24, however it was closer to mile 26. I decided to take a break, refill my fluids plus reorganize my supplies to get to them easier. I also took some tums and some advil as my feet had begun to ache. And it was so cold and windy, a small break inside the building was mentally needed. Sumrall also was closer to civilization, as I had only encountered passing cars, a few dogs, cattle and horses. Only 18 miles to go to Hattiesburg, and the other stations would come much faster. I ran to the Epley station, 15 miles to go. I was fatigued, but knew moving fast would keep me warm. I altered my pacing, run 1 mile, walk .5 miles. Got to Clyde Depot, and took another rest. Ate some solid food, reapplied ointment to my face to help with the wind, and refilled my flasks. 10 miles to go, 10 miles until warmth and comfort. I stuck with my pacing, run walk intervals. My 10 hour goal was going to be missed, but I would be done before 12 hours. The closer I got to campus, the more I recognized parts of the trail I traveled in June. There was the marker I stopped with my dog to tie my shoe. And there was the storage facility we ran by, and up ahead are the bridges over the road and tunnels. 3 more miles. I crossed the road, I ran past the Air BnB, 2 miles. I looked at my watch-it was past 10 hours, but I may make it under 11 hours now. Legs had to keep moving. Where is the mile 1 marker? Just up ahead. One more gel to finish this off. And then the trail ended. Now I had to make my way to the train station, running through town on a Saturday afternoon. I'm sure the passersby gave me looks, but I was on a missing to reach the train depot. And there it was, up ahead, I reached it, 10 hours, 31 minutes and 40 seconds. Physically tired and cold, I was done. It wasn't the fastest, but I did it fully unsupported, and I only took 2 breaks, the longest being over 20 mins (31 min mile 27). I averaged 14 min miles, which all in all, is not bad. After discovering this rail to trails over 6 months ago, I completed this hot summer thought and ran the entire length of the Longleaf Trace trail.