Over a thousand community members will pay tribute this Sunday to Linda Yalem, a UB student who was raped and murdered 16 years ago while running on the Ellicott bike path.
The 17th Annual Linda Yalem Safety Run will begin at the Alumni Arena main entrance at 9:30 a.m. after honorary race starter Marsha Henderson, vice president for external relations, gives the signal.
According to Tracey Eastman, communications and marketing coordinator for Student Affairs, the run has a legacy on campus because Yalem was a UB student, and many at the university as well as the area feel a connection.
"The cause applies to students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community," Eastman said.
The 5k run stresses the importance of taking control over one's personal safety, especially for runners and walkers.
"It's important to show how the campus is promoting safety," said Robyn Wiktorski-Reynolds, director of health education and human services. "The run provides constant awareness."
The race not only promotes the idea of campus safety, but also provides a donation to safety programs.
Participants pay a $12 registration fee, part of which goes towards a t-shirt and other costs not covered by sponsor donations. Funds that remain will be donated to programs on campus that deal with rape prevention and walker/runner safety, such as University Police programs for self-defense and Life and Learning workshops.
The event is open to runners of all levels, walkers and supporters.
According to Eastman, maintaining the race's professional reputation is important to the organizers, and the reason why the Yalem run is one of the most popular races in Western New York.
"This run is serious because it's part of the Buffalo News' 'Runner of the Year' series," she said. "A professional organization comes to record all times."
To some, the run is a chance for competitive fun.
"My favorite things about the event are that it forces you to get exercise and there is a themed competition," said senior history major Andrew Chin, who ran in last year's race and plans to do so again this year with the Asian-American Student Union (AASU).
According to Chin, team participation is an aspect of the race that is lacking. A lot of clubs come to support the cause, but few actually run.
The Anti-Rape Task Force (ARTF), a group closely associated with the run, will be helping out by organizing checkpoints where runners can get a drink of water on the go.
Meanwhile, the AASU will have a themed, costume-clad team running with hopes of taking first place. Last year, the AASU team was one of only three in the competition.
Teams are normally made up of members from clubs and Residence Halls.
"We've been promoting teams," said Eastman. "The best one gets a prize."
Competition and prizes may be fun, but the reason for the event is a serious one.
"Obviously the whole story behind the run is sad," said junior Michael Shaffer, director of education for ARTF and third-year support participant. "It's great that all these people come together and recognize it happened and say 'I don't want this to happen again.'"
Part of the awareness issue is letting UB students know they have options and do not have to walk home alone at night, Shaffer said. The ARTF provides an escort service to any location on campus, with a station on South Campus and two on North.
A van service also runs on South Campus seven nights per week from 8 p.m. until midnight.
According to Wiktorski-Reynolds, the issue of campus safety still remains a source of concern for everyone in the UB community, and the Linda Yalem Safety Run is just one way for the department of Health and Human Services and other campus safety advocates to spread awareness of their cause.
"I think being involved with something that has such a good cause to it should be an excellent way to spend my Sunday morning," Henderson said.
Students can register for $12 in person at Alumni Arena on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., or at the event on race day.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
