# Taking on the 2025 Tiger Trot!

**Source**: https://admission.princeton.edu/blogs/taking-2025-tiger-trot
**Parent**: https://admission.princeton.edu/undergraduate-student-blog

November 23, 2025

By 

Raquel
Rodriguez
'28

## Raquel Rodriguez '28

Hi there! I'm Raquel, a sophomore in the Geosciences Department pursuing minors in Statistics & Machine Learning and Finance. On campus, I am involved in the Princeton Conservation Society which organizes experiential learning events to showcase the ecosystems found in NJ to students. I'm also a part of the Women's Club Basketball team and I do volunteer work regarding digital literacy skills with the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. Feel free
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Many people have heard of the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, but Princeton puts its own spin on the racing event. On Friday, November 21, 2025, Princeton hosted its 18th annual Tiger Trot for Hunger 5k Run/Walk. This race is brought together by Princeton’s Office of Campus Recreation and offers free entry for students. Last year, I remember registering for the 5k a month in advance, but I backed out at the last minute: it was a rainy day, and I didn’t want to be sick during Thanksgiving break. However, I signed up again this year, and I actually ran it! Woah, go me!

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This time around, I signed up with a group of friends from the Princeton Women’s Club Basketball team a week in advance. I joined the team earlier this semester and it’s done wonders for my energy levels. For the basketball enthusiasts reading this, we practice twice a week and do running, passing, shooting, defensive, and offensive drills, plus the last half hour is always dedicated to scrimmaging against each other. When I first thought about joining, I worried basketball would drain my somewhat limited energy after classes, but I leave every practice feeling awake and ready to take on the ever-steady sea of problem sets that await me. I had this same momentum after I finished the Tiger Trot and needed to get back to working on my lab report.

The race began, and ended, by the newly built outdoor basketball courts outside of Dillon Gym. My friends and I got in line for the race, but it took nearly two minutes for us to actually start the race because the event had reached maximum registration. In those two minutes, I was feeling hesitant because I had signed up on a whim. I hadn’t ran an official 5k race since junior year of high school and I had no idea how I’d pace myself. For the first half mile, I stuck with a teammate but then I decided to challenge myself and go a little faster. By the time I was nearing the courts, I gave myself an extra push and I finished much sooner than I thought I would. 

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Finishers were treated with smoothies, water, apple cider, hot chocolate, and cinnamon donuts. Before the race, runners were randomly selected for Tiger Trot swag, and I was a lucky winner, so I picked up my long sleeve after the race. Then, I met up with my teammates, and we took photos together to take joy in our accomplishment. 

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I regret not having done the Tiger Trot last year, but rest assured, I will participate in the years to come, and I will do so with earlier preparation. There are so many opportunities to get active on campus and I love participating in such events with friends. This was a great way to start off the weekend and to get in the spirit of Thanksgiving, as I was feeling very thankful to be a part of the Princeton community.

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