Dashing Spiders

In February, the sun shone down on alumni as they took their first shot at a Spider Dash 5K medal. The race around campus was in its second year — and the first open to alumni. Fifty-nine of them seized the chance to speed — and stroll — past the university’s collegiate gothic architecture. Some traveled from as far as Chicago and upstate New York.

One graduate who made the most out of a trip to Richmond was Chuck Lycett, R’91, of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. He had a milestone to celebrate that weekend, so he and his girlfriend made a plan.

“I saw [Spider Dash] mentioned in an alumni email, [and it was on] the day before my 55th birthday,” Lycett said. He reached out to two Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers — Sean Healy, R’92, and Clayton Dean, R’94 — who were game to join.

“The weather was perfect,” Lycett said. “Throughout the walk, we reminisced about our experiences around campus and tried to paint a picture of what Richmond life was like in the early ’90s for my girlfriend.” The Jepson School of Leadership Studies building had just opened, for example, as had the Wilton Center beside the chapel. And according to the 1991 yearbook, an outfit incorporating buck shoes and tie-dye was a winning combination at the time.

“[We] discussed all of the changes around campus,” Lycett said. “For example, we were not allowed to go down the Eco [Corridor] in the early ’90s, so it was interesting to see the new education exhibits.” The race route also previewed ongoing changes, including the renovation of Boatwright Memorial Library.

After crossing the finish line, the birthday celebration continued when the group went to watch back-to-back Spider victories at the men’s lacrosse and men’s basketball games. No one could have scripted it any better.

“It was a full day of fun, friendship, and a great way to welcome in 55,” Lycett said.

By next year’s Spider Dash, the library will be nearing completion, giving racers the chance to see the latest developments on Princeton Review's most beautiful campus. You might also take a leaf from Lycett’s book and snag game-day tickets for your post-race cool-down.