Runners, joggers and walkers who cross the finish line at this weekend's Linda Yalem Safety Run will be honoring two fallen members of the UB community.
The five-kilometer race, which will be held Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on North Campus, is held annually in memory of Yalem, a UB student who was raped and murdered while running near campus in September 1990.
This year's race will also honor Nan Harvey, a Division of Athletics administrator who died Sept. 4 after a battle with ovarian cancer. Harvey worked as race director for the Linda Yalem run prior to her death.
Taking time to remember Yalem is important to the UB community, said Dennis Black, vice president for Student Affairs.
"This event is run purely for all the right reasons," Black said. "Something terrible happened here 13 years ago, and a group of people couldn't let it go. Terrible things can happen, and it reminds others to do what they can do to prevent it from happening again."
According to Dawn Whited, a staff assistant in the Office of Student Affairs, organizers have planned a moment of silence prior to the start of the race in memory of Harvey and have written Harvey's initials on the runners' bib numbers. Whited said one of Harvey's family members or friends may start the race.
Jenn Carbone, a senior health and human services major, said the race reminds students to be conscious of safety.
"I think it's great to have an event in her memory," Carbone said. "Everyone runs on those bike paths, so it's always a reminder to be safe and not do it alone."
Organizers expect an increased turnout for this year's race.
"Last year we had about 1,200 participants, and this year we're hoping for above 1,300," Whited said.
"We've increased public awareness, the students are more aware, and the issue with SA drew more attention to the race," said Whited, in reference to the Student Association's decision to pull its $5,000 contribution to the race.
Black said the race will go on despite the loss of funding.
"It's going to be just as successful and just as meaningful," Black said.
Black, however, remained critical of SA's decision to pull the money.
"This is not a debate over $5,000," said Black. "It's about who should be standing up for what and when."
According to Jay Friedman, assistant director of the Office of Special Events, anonymous donors made up some of the lost funding.
Black said that nevertheless, students might not get a discount on race registration next year due to the loss of funding from SA.
Last year, 34 percent of the race participants were students.
To register in this year's race, students can either visit a special table in the Student Union Lobby, the Sub-Board I ticket office beginning, or Alumni Arena.
Kristin Johnson, a junior business major at UB, plans to run the race and also to help set it up.
"I'll be there either way, and I have been the past two years," Johnson said.
The Linda Yalem Safety Run is part of the Buffalo News Runner of the Year Series. Talented local runners involved in the series can earn points toward the series' overall standings.
"The race is very prestigious in the running community," Friedman said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
