Chancellor Issues Campus Challenge to Celebrate
10 Years of the Chancellor's 5K Run/Walk for Scholars
Fox pledges money if number of participants tops last year

By Karen Gajewski I October 3, 2005

UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and UC President Robert C. Dynes at the 2004 Chancellor 5k race. (Photo: Shannon Casey)

The first year, it may have seemed a bit mysterious: a group of runners, among them former Chancellor Robert Dynes, weaving their way through campus at high-noon on an October day. "What good could possibly come of this?" witnesses may have thought to themselves.

As it turns out, the resulting impact has been greater than anyone could have imagined. A new campus tradition was born: the Chancellor's Challenge 5K Run/Walk for Scholars. And with it came an important new source of funding for undergraduate scholarships.

For 10 years now, faculty and staff have joined students, alumni and community members in this annual fund-raising ritual. Many others have cheered their colleagues along the course that weaves from RIMAC, through the eucalyptus groves, down library walk, and back to RIMAC.

For some, it's an event they train for all summer; for others, it may simply be an excuse for some fresh air on a beautiful fall day. But for all participants, the Chancellor's Challenge 5K Run/Walk for Scholars has become a tradition that has generated in excess of $1.25 million to fund much-needed scholarships that have supported more than 550 UCSD undergraduates.

To celebrate 10 years of success, Chancellor Marye Anne Fox has challenged the campus community to beat last year's total number of participants. If more than 1,395 runners/walkers register this year, the Chancellor will personally donate $4,000 to scholarships; if more than 1,500 people register, she'll donate an additional $1,000. She has a challenge for sponsors and other event donors as well: for every $50,000 raised, Chancellor Fox will add $10,000 from the Chancellor's Associates Fund, up to $40,000.

This year's 5K run/walk starts at 12:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, at the North Campus Field near RIMAC and ends at the RIMAC field with lunch and an awards program. Participants can run, jog, walk or even stroll along the course, all in the name of supporting outstanding UCSD students who need financial assistance. In addition, participants will recieve a commemorative event T-shirt and lunch as a personal thank you.

Online registration [through October 19] and other printable forms, including a payroll deduction form, can be found at www.ucsd.edu/5K . Donations and sponsorships for the event can also be made via this Web site. Advanced registration fees are $10 for faculty, staff, 55+, alumni and friends and $5 for students. On day of event, entry fees are $10 for students and $15 for all others.

So lace-up your running shoes or walking shoes, or slide on your flip flops and help meet the Chancellor's Challenge.