Class of 2030 Dons Festive Duds, Dodges Downpour for Cake Race

It’s a safe bet that Odysseus’s Trojan Horse didn’t taste like chocolate.

And that it wasn’t surrounded by Teddy Graham soldiers.

And now, for a little history.

This cherished tradition started in 1930 when an enterprising track coach wanted to see how much new talent he could recruit by using cake to lure first-year students to compete in a race.

They didn’t have much choice; the college made it mandatory for the students, then all male, to run the race. Today, it’s optional, but still very popular.

Then, faculty members’ wives made the cakes. Today, donations range from elaborate cakes, cupcakes and cookies crafted by everyone from nearby elementary school students to faculty, staff, neighbors, alumni and local businesses. Parents also get into the act, with some from far away sending local bakery cakes in honor of their runners. 

Men and women race separately. Winners normally come from the college’s track and field teams; but others who don’t usually run competitively also claim some impressive finishes — and cakes.

Track and field runners led the race again this year.

Dressed as a Christmas tree, festive phenom Eric Robinson III, from Evans, Georgia, won the men’s race, seeming to glide effortlessly in ahead of the pack. He chose a lovely cake titled “Mr. Duck Is Superb” as his bounty. 

With cat ears on her head and whiskers on her face, Amelia Lapierre, from Tucson, Arizona, won the women’s race and chose the “My Little Pony” cake.

Men’s Tennis Coach Drew Barrett, always a feted Cake Race baker, crafted the pony with his older daughter, Kennedy, while his younger daughter, Xie, took honors for the duck. Barrett’s wife, Mandy, assisted on both cakes.

The fun continued well after the competition.

Many students swear by Cake Race night, where runners share their abundance with hallmates and teammates. Students roam dorm floors on a cake-hopping mission, stopping to socialize and sample the goods.

It’s quintessential Davidson, and one of many ways the community shows its newcomers that they’re welcomed, supported and surrounded by caring people who want them to have a great college experience. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Katie Herbert trekked into the Baker Sports Complex with her young kids balancing large cakes in small hands. Liam, 5, carried a strawberry lemonade cake while Emma Kate, 3, proudly displayed her coconut cake.

The family recently moved to Davidson from Colorado and learned about the race at Liam’s new school, Davidson Elementary, where he started kindergarten this week. The kids looked longingly at the multitude of cakes displayed on tables; their mom held their hands to ensure they didn’t touch any.

Liam, already a sports fan, was equally awestruck by the athletic complex. He looks forward to Davidson baseball, basketball, volleyball and any other games.

Herbert loves that their new town is so closely connected to the college and says they’ll visit often.

“I heard about the Cake Race and thought it was a really great tradition and wanted to contribute something,” she said. “We’re happy to support the students.”

Liam reinforced that message:

“We want to support the students,” he said. “And come to a lot of baseball games.”