Photos by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications

Triton 5K: More than a Race

Annual event to be held April 9 empowers students to realize their potential

On April 9, more than 4,000 members of the UC San Diego community will gather on campus to support student scholarships at the 21^st annual Triton 5K & Festival. Participation in this annual event contributes to the Campaign for UC San Diego. Since 1996, the 5K has raised more than $3.6 million in scholarships and benefited more than 1,000 motivated and talented students. This year’s charge is to help support the next 1,000.

“Fundraising for student scholarships is a priority for our campus,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “Our goal is to ensure that learning is accessible and affordable for all, and the Triton 5K helps us achieve that goal. Together, with our campus and community scholarship supporters, we transform lives and educate next-generation leaders who will push boundaries and challenge expectations to make our world better.”

Scholarship recipient Allen Nguyen graduated in 2015 with a degree in computer science. “It not only helped me financially, but the scholarship allowed me to get to the position where I am today,” said Nguyen, who is currently working as a software engineer. “The way to get the best out of people is to put them in the right place, and surround them with resources and opportunity to realize their full potential. I’m thankful for the generosity of others who helped me to realize mine.”

The Triton 5K will begin at 9 a.m. with the starting line located at North Point Lane near the Spanos Loop. Participants are invited to run, walk, stroll or jog the 3.1 mile USATF-sanctioned course. The scenic trek takes runners along inviting pathways, past towering eucalyptus groves and familiar campus landmarks such as the beloved Sun God and iconic Geisel Library. Participants will be organized in waves, according to pace, so that everyone can participate—including those with strollers and leashed pets.

Even kids can get in on the action. A Junior Triton Run will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Triton Track and Field Stadium. Designed for children 12 and younger, the short, kid-friendly course offers age-appropriate race lengths from 25 to 300 meters. Registration is $10 per child with a finisher medal and gear bag given to each “Triton in Training.”

After the race, participants are invited to head over to the race festival for live music, local food vendors, beer garden and a fun zone full with interactive activities for kids of all ages. The festival is free and open to the public.

A few “Tritons-in-Training” enjoy the kid-friendly course at Triton Track & Field Stadium.

At UC San Diego, we are proud that our deepest tradition is challenging tradition. In keeping with that challenge, we’ll be offering a Virtual 5K for alumni around the world to get involved. “The goal is for our alumni to get active (April 1-9), whether that means running, walking, hiking, biking or surfing. We want to make it easy for them to show their Triton Pride wherever they are,” said Sean Burns, director of Global Engagement & Advancement, UC San Diego Alumni. In addition, several regional Alumni Clubs will be hosting Virtual 5K events. More information can be found here.

Early Bird pricing for the Triton 5K is $30 for the UC San Diego community (faculty, staff, alumni and parents of current students); $40 for the general public; $35 for active or veteran military personnel, and $15 for all high school and university students. Day-of registration is subject to availability and increased pricing. Racers are encouraged to register as individuals, with department teams, or to gather a group of five or more to create their own team. Be sure to register before February 28 for discounted pricing.

Triton 5K organizers and UC San Diego Alumni are actively seeking volunteers to assist with check-in, water distribution and more. Volunteers will receive community service hours through the Volunteer50 program and a free T-shirt. For more information, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit the volunteer page on the Triton 5K website.

To register for the Triton 5K, or to support undergraduate scholarships with an online gift, please visit 5K.ucsd.edu.