The parallels between the Penn Relays and the Marathon are undeniable. They are each the oldest events of their kind in the United States, dating back to the twilight of the 19th century, when they first captured the imagination of the American public.

Freshman Sam Mattis thinks that his incredible record-breaking discus throw wasn’t even close to his best, and he continues to push himself.

Heading into his sophomore year with a solid base of training, Paez had dreams of reaching even greater heights. But those dreams had to be put on hold after Aug. 7, 2011.

This July, over 40 Penn students and alumni will embark on a three-week journey to Israel for the experience of a lifetime. It will certainly be a learning experience but not in the usual sense.

One cannot help but feel a bit of optimism that if the young and inexperienced pitching rotation can build on the successes they had this season, all it will take is a spark in the offense to catapult the Quakers to Ivy success.

It looks like the only way varsity hockey could return to Penn is if a donor emerged from the shadows, bringing the initiative and the means to get a program going.

Three restaurants near campus — Penne Restaurant and Wine Bar, Sabrina’s Café and Pizza Rustica — joined a program that showcases nutritional information on their menus and offers healthier options.

Katrina Rakowski, a 2012 College of Liberal and Professional Studies graduate, has created a group called Friends of Emerald Park to transform Emerald Park, located in the Kensington neighborhood, and go beyond superficial revitalization efforts.

Tuesday afternoon, animal rights group Animal ACTivists of Philly rallied at 34th and Walnut streets against the abuse of research animals at Penn and other universities. According to a 2011 Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine report, Penn is number one among Ivy League universities in the number and severity of violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Instead of the annual thrift sale of Penn students’ discarded goods at the end of the year, Philadelphia residents will now be able to buy the goods from PennMOVES all year round.

Philly Tech Week 2013 kicked off in grand fashion with the largest game of Pong on the planet last Friday.

I cannot speak for all, but here’s what being raped at this university felt like for me.

I do keep a journal, sort of. I can look back on it with minimal discomfort, and I don’t have to search through memorabilia boxes to find it. It’s my Facebook profile.

As part of its ongoing Real Beauty campaign, Dove posted a YouTube video last week that has over 19 million views. I find the overwhelmingly positive response to this video troubling — especially the praise from within the Penn community.

We must add our voices to those demanding that we value all lives by speaking out against violence in all of its forms. But we must do more. The best way to honor those whose lives are forever changed by violence is to become data-driven advocates to reduce violence in our communities.

“It’s not what you say that matters,” said Republican political strategist and pollster Frank Luntz last night in Huntsman Hall. “It’s what people hear.”