Caltech Alpine Club Earns Top Finishes at Pasadena 50K Relay
On May 24, the Caltech Alpine Club participated in the Pasadena Running Company's 50K Relay + 50K Solo & 10K Fun Run, continuing a long-standing club tradition of trail running and community involvement in Pasadena and the Greater Los Angeles area.
The Caltech Alpine Club co-ed relay team won the overall relay title, finishing in a time of 3:14:35.33. The team members were Julian Schmitt, graduate student in environmental science and engineering; Jack Sayers (PhD '08), research professor of physics; Maria Carilli (PhD '26), Han Zhang, graduate student in bioengineering; and Clara Caspard, local community member. The club also earned top finishes in multiple divisions, placing first in the women's relay division and second in the men's relay division.
A handful of members attribute much of the effort to keep trail and adventure running a focus within the club to Sayers, noting that he captained and organized the club's participation in the relay this year. Sayers, on the other hand, says it was a group effort.
Still, for nearly seven years, Sayers has been involved with the Alpine Club's running group, which operates largely through the Alpine Club mailing list and an active WhatsApp chat, where members suggest ideas for upcoming runs. Carilli has been a member of this group since her first year on campus and has raced in the Pasadena Running Company's 50K relay for the past two years. "Whenever there's a local race, we try to participate," she says.
"This relay is unique, as it's the only time we get to truly compete as a team rather than as individuals," Sayers says. "It was a fabulous morning to be out there together hanging out and supporting our teams!"
Schmitt echoes that sentiment, though he's quick to keep the focus on participation over performance. "It looks good that we ran a fast race, but the point of our group isn't that we're fast. The point is that we're out enjoying the area and spending time with friends. Some in the group tend to win races, but the rest of us are amateur runners and scientists. We really want more of the community to get involved."
Carilli agrees. "The Caltech Alpine Club is much more than just a student or Caltech group. It's a community."
To get involved with the running group of the Caltech Alpine Club, subscribe to the Caltech Alpine Club's mailing list (campus connection or VPN required). People from JPL, community members, family members, and anyone else without a Caltech account can reach out to the club secretary, Kyle Hunady ([email protected]). The club will host a 2026–27 kickoff event in October and will share more information about the event through the mailing list.