UC San Diego Community Comes Together For Triton 5K

Photos by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications

Nearly 3,000 alumni and friends return to campus for annual race during Alumni Weekend

Nearly 3,000 alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members returned to UC San Diego Saturday for the Triton 5K. They joined together to walk, run, volunteer and celebrate all things UC San Diego. The university’s race was part of the annual Alumni Weekend hosted June 5 through 8 by UCSD Alumni. This year, the event raised more than $270,000 for student scholarships, bringing the total amount raised to support undergraduates to $3.9 million since the 5K was established in 1996.

This year’s participants had the chance to run (or walk) past renowned art pieces from the Stuart Art Collection, including the iconic Sun God statue as well as the intriguing “Fallen Star” sculpture perched atop the Jacobs School of Engineering. The runners and walkers were cheered on by King Triton, as well as by the lively UCSD Pep band and spectators along the way. Nearly 100 of the university’s “Tritons in Training,” ages 13 and under, participated in the Kids Fun Run, which ranged from 300 meters down to 25 meters. After the race, nearly 3,000 participants and supporters enjoyed the event festival, which featured live music by local band, Todo Mundo, as well as jousting, inflatable bounce houses and a runner’s market. Tritons of all ages enjoyed hands-on earth shaking, ocean exploring, brain puzzling booths, provided by the Birch Aquarium, UC San Diego bioengineering and neurosciences outreach programs and many more.

The champions of the race included, Nick Sigmon, Revelle ’10, Top Male; Marie Schaper, Sixth ’10, Top Female; The Village, Largest Team and Top Fundraising Team; Team NuVasive, Most Spirited Team (who wore cheetah print); and Hong Kong Tritons, Largest Virtual Team. And Tritons of all ages participated, each bringing their unique spirit and individual style to the day—from toddlers, to a member of the original class at Revelle.

“By participating in the Triton 5K, you are having an extremely big impact on UC San Diego and our students,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “Every penny we raise today will support undergraduate scholarships and our vision of being a student-centered university.”

Kids Fun Run

Raising funds for scholarships for those in need is a top priority at UC San Diego. Now, more than ever, college students need scholarship support during challenging economic times.

“Without you, I would not have had the same experiences or wisdom to confidently venture out to the real world and begin my own journey,” said Calvin H. Lai, ’14, the recipient of a Chancellor’s Scholarship and fourth-year student studying human biology. “I greatly appreciate what this program has offered me, and I will never forget how far I have come as a result of this scholarship.”

Genna Lee Malcangio, '17, added, “I will not rest until this world has seen the full benefits of my education. Thank you again for your generous contribution. It's amazing to think that you have actually changed my life by giving me the chance to receive an education.” A freshman, Malcangio is studying bioengineering and was the recipient of a Chancellor’s Scholarship.

At Alumni Weekend, more than 5,600 alumni and friends enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with friends, former classmates and faculty, while revisiting the campus and recalling many UC San Diego memories. The event is a great kickoff to the summer, a time when members of the Triton family come together to celebrate all things Triton and make new memories during the annual Alumni Weekend.

And celebrate they did. From A Conversation with Nick Woodman, Muir ’97 and Night at the Padres, to various reunions and the 50^th Anniversary Watermelon Drop, all guests unleashed their inner Triton. The much-buzzed program began Thursday night with Taste of UCSD, featuring university faculty members along with alumni culinary artists. On Sunday, the weekend wrapped up with the annual True Triton Brunch, honoring alumni volunteers from across the country and celebrating this year’s True Triton Award recipient Steve Schreiner, Muir '80.

Triton 5K scholarship sponsors included: Fisher Scientific; UCSD Alumni; UC San Diego Emeriti Association; Darcy and Robert Bingham; Darlene Shiley; Kathy and Gary Curtis, ’69; Andrew and Erna Viterbi; Ann and Bob Dynes; Oceanids; UCSD Retirement Association; Dr. Seuss Foundation; The Marren Family, Amy ’87 and Bob ’86; Dr. Lawrence and Sharon Marshall, UC San Diego Neurosurgery; Peter ’67 & Peggy Preuss; Elizabeth Van Denburgh ’78; The York Girls – Sybil, Cynthia, Rachel ’71; USE Credit Union; Stone Brewing Co.; and D’lush.

UCSD Alumni is already planning for next year’s Triton 5K, as part of Alumni Weekend with four days of signature events for alumni, family and friends.