Sneakers hit the pavement as hundreds of runners made their way through Depot Park for the UF’s Chomp for Charity 5K.
UF’s Homecoming & Gator Growl kicked off its 103rd annual homecoming programming Sept. 16 with a charity run as part of a new partnership with The Humane Society of North Central Florida, a nonprofit no-kill shelter dedicated to eliminating the needless euthanasia of healthy pets.
Maya Goldstein, a 21-year-old UF psychology senior and homecoming general chair, said the first-time partnership reflects the homecoming team’s connection to animal welfare and rescue. Multiple members have their own rescue animals, she added.
Runners between 5 and 15 years old paid $22 to participate, and runners 16 and older paid $30. The fee included a running bib, food, drinks and a concert ticket to a show featuring student band Petty Theft.
The 5K isn’t the only way the Gator Growl team is promoting the charity, Goldstein said, it also hosts fundraising spirit nights at local restaurants and shares the Humane Society’s message on social media.
Homecoming will have a month-long programming of events including:
- Leadership Pageant on Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the University Auditorium
- Soulfest on Oct. 1 in the Reitz Grand Ballroom
- Homecoming Festival on Oct. 9 at 12 p.m. on the Plaza of the Americas
- Gator Gallop on Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. on the Plaza of the Americas
- Homecoming Parade on Oct. 9 at 12 p.m.
- Gator Growl with Nikki Glaser on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center
Around 200 runners participated, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the shelter. Runners could participate on behalf of an organization and be paired with a specific animal to raise money for.
As a 501(c)(3), HSNCF depends on community initiatives that help directly fund their work.
Donna Treloar, a HSNCF volunteer, said she couldn’t think of a better cause to run for.
“To care about animals shows that you care about humans,” she said.
The proceeds from the event will help fund improvements to the shelter’s air conditioning, medical care and animal socialization, Treloar said.
The partnership allowed the HSNCF to connect with prospective volunteers, said Treloar, who has volunteered with the organization for about four years.
HSNCF offers a variety of opportunities to get involved at various levels of commitment, she added. Retirees can take advantage of flexible volunteer and foster schedules, Treloar said, while young participants can help engage with strong, large dogs.
Samantha Delepiani, a 19-year-old architecture sophomore at UF, heard about the event through her prior involvement with the Gulf Coast Humane Society in high school.
Rather than attending a traditional homecoming event, participants could spend the evening running with friends before gathering for food and live music afterward.
Sophia Assissee, an 18-year-old UF architecture sophomore, said the 5K’s animal focus motivated her to join the race. Assissee said the group setting makes wellness more accessible and enjoyable for people, while also running for a cause.
Fitness events like the charity run are aimed to provide students a place to socialize without centering the experience around alcohol or nightlife.
A recent New York Times article featured UF students at a “wellness darty,” offering a glimpse into how wellness culture is becoming increasingly visible on college campuses — noting how these college events are becoming a way for students to socialize while still maintaining the high-energy atmosphere associated with traditional college parties.
Natasha McBride, the 43-year-old owner of The B-12 Store in Cape Coral, which vended at the event, said she’s seen a recent increase in young people prioritizing wellness. McBride said she drove four hours to the event to pitch the store’s vitamin injection services to runners while handing them take-home bags with sunscreen and gift certificates.
As competition turned into celebration, runners made their way to First Magnitude Brewing Co. to enjoy their free drink and listen to the student band, Petty Theft, which took to the stage at 7:45 p.m., closing out the race’s first post-race reception.
Juleidi Machuca is a contributing writer to the Alligator. Contact her at jmachuca@alligator.org.
Juleidi is a history and journalism junior at UF and serving as one of the Fall 2026 Photographers. This is her fourth semester on staff and her favorite assignment to cover is protests. In her spare time, she can be found journaling or TikTok dancing.
