Princeton charity 5K run to aid university mascot

April 21 event to raise money for Save the Tiger Campaign

By: Claire Abramowitz
   Princeton lore tells that there hasn’t been a live tiger on campus since 1923, when an enthusiastic parent captured one in Africa and brought it all the way back to Nassau Hall as a mascot.
   But while this tiger’s school stay may have been brief – after some anxiety on the part of the Princeton community, he was donated to a zoo – the university’s favorite feline will take the forefront again in this year’s 10th annual Run for the Tiger, a charity 5K run and walk to be held on April 21 by the student environmental group Greening Princeton.
   A tradition since 1996, the run donates all proceeds to the Princeton Save the Tiger Campaign, an alumni organization that works with the Wildlife Conservation Society to preserve tiger habitats in Asia.
   "Preservation of tiger habitat through the WCS will ensure that future generations are able to enjoy and respect the ferocity of the Siberian tiger," Greening Co-President Mark Smith said.
   "Besides, from Princeton’s perspective, it would be pretty lame if our mascot went extinct," the sophomore added.
   Starting at 10 a.m., Run for the Tiger will start and finish at Forbes College on Princeton’s campus and will feature food and prizes from several sponsors, including Nassau Street businesses Princeton Running Company, Whole Foods, McCaffrey’s Market, the Bent Spoon, Small World Coffee, and Mehek.
   "We always like to encourage athletic events in the local community," Princeton Running Company Manager Rob Chew said.
   Gift certificates from Princeton Running Company and other sponsors will be raffled off at the race.
   "This event is a really good thing because it draws in local residents and the surrounding community," Princeton graduate student Barclay Satterfield said.
    "It also draws students who might not necessarily be interested in environmental activities, but who would be up for athletic activities," said the Greening member of more than four years."It’s a fun and healthy way to spend a Saturday morning," Mr. Smith, the Greening Princeton co-president said.
   "Get up early, but not too early, get a jog in, see some friends, and contribute to a great cause," he added. There is a minimum $15 suggested registration fee, which includes a T-shirt.
   The run will be one of the final events in Greening Princeton’s two#-#week#-#long Earth Day series.Pre-registration for the race is available at www.princeton.edu/âgreening.