UB students and Buffalo community members alike gathered outside Alumni Arena on Sunday for the 18th annual Linda Yalem Safety Run.
This event is held each year in memory of Linda Yalem, the UB student who was raped and murdered by the Buffalo "Bike Path Rapist" Altemio Sanchez in 1990. The event is also held to raise awareness about personal safety and to increase funds for on-campus safety programs such as the Anti-Rape Task Force and the annual safety fair.
Over 1,400 runners and 700 volunteers participated in the run this year, which is far more than those previous. Andrea Costantino, the director of Student Life and head organizer of the event, discussed the goals and reasons for the run.
"It's more promoting safety on campus and off campus for the community and runners," Costantino said.
Costantino also discussed how the recent capture and sentencing of the Bike Path Rapist, who had terrorized the Buffalo community since 1986, has affected the turnout of this year's race.
"Even though this year Sanchez has been caught, we still have to remember that there are chances that this could happen again and that there are others out there. We still need to be safe, and it has to be on the forefront of our minds," Costantino said.
She also went on to discuss how this recent event had left its mark on the UB campus, as those 700 race-day volunteers were all UB students.
The death of Joan Diver, the latest victim of the Bike Path Rapist, as well as the closure of the Sanchez's case, had a large impact on the Buffalo community and was on many people's minds as they attended and participated in the event.
"Finding him this past year makes a big difference," said Nicole Komin, a sophomore psychology and political science major.
But sophomore biomedical science major Jennifer Rahman feels that the race is important regardless of whether he was caught or not.
"It's for safety, it's for a good cause," said Cortney Parzymieso, a senior nursing major.
Many people also participated for the simple joy of running.
"Personally, I like to run and I think it's a good cause," said Matthew Schnittker, a sophomore biomedical science major.
Sean Scankammerer, a junior accounting major, agreed that he was there for the fun of running.
Over a thousand participants lined up on Augspurger Road at 9:30 a.m. to start the race. Representatives from the UB Police, Amherst Police, New York State Police, Erie Country Police and Buffalo Police Department were all on hand during a special ceremony at the start of the run. After a brief moment of silence and a rendition of "Amazing Grace," the safety run began.
Participants, who were tracked by an individual chip, chose to run or walk the 3.1-mile track around UB's North Campus while volunteers and spectators held encouraging signs and cheered on the sidelines. Personal safety tips lined the track as reminders to all of the participants.
As runners finished the race with music blaring, volunteers were on hand to distribute free food and water. Student Life organized safety trivia in which everyone could participate. Other activities such as the kids' dash and a local fire engine were available for people of all ages.
The large turnout and success of the event was obvious everywhere.
"It's good to show people that we can unite together," said Mary Blake, a junior business major.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
