Mets fans have unique Citi Field giving opportunity at WhyHunger's 2026 Hungerthon Hustle

For the third consecutive offseason, WhyHunger's Hungerthon Hustle, a running event dedicated to keeping momentum moving in the race to address food insecurity, will take place at Citi Field, the home of the Mets, on November 7th. This year's run is a little bit different, though; the race will actually take place around the concourse, giving fans an unprecedented opportunity to sprint the hallowed grounds, dine in the Heineken Diamond Lounge, and even meet Mr. and Mrs. Met - and they might not just be shaking hands.

"Mr. Met ran the whole 4.7k in his entire Mr. Met outfit last year," John El-Maraghy, WhyHunger's Individual Giving Manager, told Rising Apple. "They were supposed to just be there for pictures and cheering people on! Obviously, that's a tall, fit person in the costume - I'm not sure if they were moved by the movement, but..."

While we can't guarantee that whatever variety of adrenaline got into Mr. Met's bloodstream in the moment will transfer over to any participating Mets fans, it's clear that anyone who attends will be energized.

WhyHunger began in 1975, co-founded by "Cat's in the Cradle" musician Harry Chapin and radio host Bill Ayres, with the stated goal to address the root causes of hunger. Once grounded in a traditional telethon, the organization now considers its "Hungerthon" campaign - beginning with Nov. 7th's Hustle and continuing throughout the month and into December - to be their most accessible tentpole event on multiple fronts.

The month will end with a Lucy Dacus/Infinity Song concert in New York, but it begins at the home of the Mets.

Mets fans can race the Citi Field concourse with WhyHunger's 4.8k

The distance of the race is tied directly to the number of Americans who face food insecurity. Sitting at 4.7k for the past two years to represent 47 million souls, that number has now grown to 47.9 million, rounded up to 4.8k for this season's run.

"We focus on both domestic and foreign causes of hunger, collaborating with farmers, producers, pastoralists, and fishers who are connected to international social movements focused around the right to food, food sovereignty," El-Maraghy relayed. "Local communities should have the right to grow healthy food for themselves. We also focus on the social side of things, investing in the people/systems who make healthy food possible. That may be gatherings, professional development, linkages between entities and groups. It's strategic investment."

Music has often been the focus of WhyHunger's movement, with ambassadors like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Yoko Ono Lennon and Santana choosing to use their platforms to advance the cause. WhyHunger was also included in the Dead & Company "Shakedown Street" marketplace of ideas for their most recent west coast swing, another outlet that's called Citi Field home.

All Mets fans who attend this year's Hungerthon Hustle will receive the completely unique experience of connecting to the team during an offseason of uncertainty, racing through the halls for a phenomenal cause. If you're unable to attend in-person, select the virtual option behind the donor drive link. Runners can also connect their Strava accounts to the platform and log the 4.8k directly. The virtual run leg will run from Halloween through Nov. 7th, and all runners - virtual or in-person - can qualify for the grand prize, a 4-day all-inclusive stay at the Hard Rock in Punta Cana. 

"The fastest time isn't as relevant as the person who raises the most money or gets the most eyeballs and ear lobes on the cause," El-Maraghy assured us. "You can be the most unfit person in the world - someone who hates walking, hates running, and you can still be a winner of a pretty cool prize."

But, again, the in-person option is the only way to whisper your Tarik Skubal contract prediction directly in Mr. Met's ear as he sprints alongside you. So make of that what you will, and support an excellent cause while warming up your muscles for a long offseason.

WhyHunger is helping connect people in need with food every day. Last year, they helped 2.1 million people in the U.S. access food through their WhyHunger Hotline and Find Food digital tools. Anyone can get help simply by visiting whyhunger.org/findfood, calling 1(800) 5-HUNGRY, or texting their zip code to 1-800-548-6479.

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