Several states were represented in the annual Selma to Montgomery Relay and Bike ride on Saturday.

The 51-mile race began at 6:45 a.m. Saturday morning under chilly conditions at 101 Broad Street, where Pilcher-McBryde Drug Company, Rexall Drugs is located. The event ended at the state capital in Montgomery.

The Walk Jog Run Club in Montgomery hosted the event, which commemorated the historic 1965 Selma to Montgomery March for the right to vote.

Walk Jog Run Club co-founder Vergil Chames said 400 people participated in the event with numbers on their back. People came all the way from Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, New York, California and Kentucky were among those who made the drive down to compete.

“We like the Selma to Montgomery march because of its historical connections,” Chames said. “We educate people about Civil Rights and we bring money to the community along the route of the race.”

Chames said the race will make donations to both Edmunite Missions and the Jubilee in the Queen city.

Several cyclists and runners said the race was an opportunity to honor Civil Rights icons Dr. Martin Luther King, John Lewis and Hosea Williams. Lewis and Williams led the “Bloody Sunday” march on March 7, 1965.

Marta Mack-Washington of Louisville, Kentucky said she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pay tribute to the civil rights legends.

“I think the event is wonderful,” Mack-Washington said. “I came here to participate in something that involved the Jubilee. Participating is my homage to honor our ancestors who crossed the bridge.”

Annette Thomas, a cyclist from Charlotte, North Carolina, said this was her first time in Selma.

“I’ve been to Birmingham, but I’ve never come to Selma until now,” Thomas said. “I’ve always wanted to go across the Edmund-Pettus Bridge. It’s beautiful here and I’m coming back.”