Ahead of Derby week, four rats raced around a track in Spalding University’s 53rd annual Running of the Rodents.
Teams of students cheered on their furry competitors in the annual competition that was started in 1973 by Sister of Charity of Nazareth Julia Clare Fontaine.
During the event, Spalding President Dr. Anne Kenworthy addressed the crowd and explained how the tradition was born of Sister Fontaine’s desire to alleviate the stress of finals.
The competing rats this year included Phantom, Chewy, Riff Raff and Rat King Cole. Riff Raff placed first in the “Spalding Derby” race and won the coveted garland of Fruitloops.
