
From the Organizer
Experience the thrill of the third annual Rodney Richardson Water Run on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Town Square Park. This unique event, designed to beat the September heat, features a 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run course lined with super soakers and a refreshing blast from the Hattiesburg Fire Department as you cross the finish line. The race takes you through the picturesque Historic neighborhood in Downtown Hattiesburg, culminating in a grand finish at Town Square Park.
This is a great event for the entire family. All proceeds from the race benefit Ddembe Ministries, an orphan, widow, and family care ministry in Jinja, Uganda. Visit our website to find out more information about the work going on at Ddembe.
Runners will also have the option to run as charity runners for this race. Participating as a charity runner means you're not just running a race – you're making a difference. Your efforts will help raise funds and awareness for Ddembe Ministries, contributing directly to their impactful work in Uganda.
Both races will offer same-day registration, but runners who sign up after August 7th are not guaranteed a t-shirt.
Packet pickup will be on Friday, September 25th, at RARE Design, located at 127 Buschman Street, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Packets may also be picked up from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on race day at Town Square Park.
For the 5k, awards will be given to the overall male and female, as well as the top male and female finishers in each age group. The top finisher overall in the 1-Mile will receive an award.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
86°
Typical Low
64°
Chance of Rain
25%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Hattiesburg 5sw, 1 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
48,507
as of 2023
Elevation
319 ft
Nearest Airport
PIB
Hattiesburg Laurel Regional Airport · 15 mi
Major Hub
MSY
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport · 103 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Rodney Richardson Water Run, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
110
Days to train
Coming Up
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From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Rodney Richardson Water Run
Sep 26, 2026