The sixth annual Chancellor’s Challenge 2001 5K run/walk benefiting UCSD undergraduate scholarships, hosted by Chancellor Robert C. Dynes, will be held Oct. 19 on the cross-campus course.
The event will begin on RIMAC field and will end with lunch and an awards ceremony.
This year’s event, like those in previous years, will bring together corporations and individuals from the community, UCSD alumni, students, faculty and staff.
Over 1,100 people participated in last year’s race, which raised over $200,000. The proceeds will benefit the Chancellor Research Scholarship, which gave 96 undergraduate scholarships as a result of last year’s challenge.
To make the event more competitive and to increase participation, Dynes and event co-chair Charlie Robins will match the top sponsors of the event dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000. As extra incentive, the chancellor will make a personal donation of $25 for every male who beats him next Friday, and the wife of the chancellor, Professor Frances Dynes Hellman, will donate $25 for every female who beats her.
“”The chancellor is an avid runner,”” said Undergraduate Student Affairs Development Officer Kyra Randall. “”He usually runs at six in the morning either on campus or around his home.””
Last year, Dynes placed 124th overall with a time of 22 minutes, eight seconds.
“”He’s in good shape,”” Randall said. “”That is why he is challenging anybody who decides to join the race, from members of the cross country team to regular students.””
One lasting tradition in the annual run/walk is the competition between Dynes’ administration and the A.S. Council. Each year, a wager is made between the two teams and this year’s event upholds that tradition.
The stakes: If A.S. President Jeff Dodge wins, the chancellor will help sponsor the A.S. barbecue; if Dynes wins, Dodge will wash the chancellor’s car.
“”The rivalry has grown to be very competitive and people look forward to it,”” Randall said.
Groups and individuals sponsor the event. Group sponsorships include community, marathon, Olympian and the Chancellor’s teams, with donations ranging from $500 to $10,000. Students can participate in the 5K run/walk with a $5 donation and faculty, staff and alumni can participate for $10 per person.
Organizers of the race are excited and are encouraging everyone to participate by running, walking, cheering on the competitors or becoming a Chancellor’s Challenge volunteer.
“”The race is a lot of fun,”” Randall said. “”I used to run in the challenge myself. It’s a chance for the community, the students and the faculty to come together for a common cause. The event gets everyone involved.””
Entry forms are available on-line at http://www.ucsd.edu/5k and can be turned in at the UCSD Athletics Department in RIMAC, Geisel Library, Scripps Institute of Oceanography and the Faculty Club. Forms can also be mailed to: Chancellor’s 5K Run/Walk, UCSD Athletics, MC 0531, La Jolla, CA 92092.
The deadline to enter is Wednesday, Oct. 17. Walk-in entries will be accepted until noon. For more information, contact Kyra Randall at (858) 822-1537.
