"Annual Yalem run promotes safety, awareness"

Sixteen years hasn't dulled the memory of Linda Yalem, a UB student who was raped and murdered on the Ellicott Creek bike path in 1990.

To many, in fact, the passage of time has only made that memory stronger.

With the end of September around the corner, the Linda Yalem Safety Run reaches its 16th year on Sunday, as over 1,000 participants are expected to come out to spread the message of safety awareness and rape prevention with a 5k run around North Campus.

Each year, the event draws a mix of runners, walkers and supporters who descend on Alumni Arena to honor Yalem's memory and raise funds for safety awareness programs like the Anti-Rape Task Force.

Yalem, 22, was training by herself for the New York City Marathon on the bike path behind Ellicott when she was assaulted, raped and murdered in broad daylight.

Yalem's attacker has not been caught, but in December 2004, Buffalo police linked DNA evidence from the case to a second rape-murder in Buffalo in 1992. With the new information, the Yalem suspect has been connected to two rape murders and seven other rape cases, according to Buffalo police officials.

"We get leads maybe once a month," said Detective Salvatore Valvo of the Buffalo police's sex offense unit.

And although none of the clues have resolved the case, "we follow the leads through to the end," Valvo said.

While local police have yet to give up on Yalem's memory, neither have the members of the community who still devote their time and passion every year to organizing and running the race.

"It's very important to me, and I've always been interested in it," said Mary Clare Fahey, community service coordinator at the UB Leadership Development Center.

Fahey, who is in charge of the hundreds of volunteers at this year's run, has worked at UB for over ten years, and said she always wanted to be involved in the event.

"When I started I was a hall director in Richmond, and always followed the run," Fahey said. "Now, as someone who gets to recognize students for the awesome things they do, this is a great way to get involved."

The students will not be the only ones in running shoes on Sunday. Fahey said runners come from all over New York, as well as Ontario, Pennsylvania, and as far away as Connecticut to promote the education of safety awareness and honor the life Linda Yalem.

The event is a certified 5k run by USA Track and Field, and recorded running times are eligible for record status. Not every participant has to be a runner though. Anyone who wants to take part is welcome and walkers are encouraged too.

Starting and ending at Alumni Arena, the Linda Yalem Safety Run is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m. The entry fee for students is $12. Non-student registration is $17 in advance and $20 on race day. Pre-registration is also available online at www.lindayalem.buffalo.edu.