The 18th annual Linda Yalem Safety Run will take place a year or so after the murder of Joan Diver, the wife of a UB professor, by the "bike path rapist."
This year, UB and the surrounding community will pay tribute to the victims of Altemio Sanchez and observe the fact that the rapist has been convicted and faces 75 years to life in prison.
According to Jane Fischer, director of the Anti-Rape Task Force (ARTF), Sanchez's conviction closes the cases of Linda Yalem and Diver, yet the race still reminds students that they have the right to be safe.
"I think it brings a closure on this horrible event to Linda Yalem and her family," she said. "However, there are always predators out there, and that is why we should be strong and be safe and never take life for granted."
The 5K run will take place on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 9:30 a.m. Participants can register online until Sept. 27 and in person at Alumni Arena from Sept. 28 until race day at 9:15 a.m. Registration fees are $15 for UB students and $20 for the public.
According to event-organizer Andrea Costantino, participants can either run or walk the route, which starts at the main entrance of the arena.
So far, 456 participants have registered for the run, which usually attracts around 1,000 runners and walkers, according to Constantino. The race is not only geared towards UB students, but also to the community as whole.
Events within the run include the Kid's Dash and the Champion Chip. The race results are based on timing as recorded by the Chip, which runners can receive from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. on race day to attach to their shoes, according to the Student Affairs Web site. The runner with the shortest time on their Chip at the finish line will win the race.
The goal of the run is to promote personal safety and to encourage students to always walk with friends, Constantino said.
"The Linda Yalem Safety Run emphasizes safety tips for all UB students and honors our former student, Linda Yalem," Fischer said. "It also gives strength to...survivors and reminds us that we can always do this together and keep each other safe."
In addition to raising awareness about personal safety, the event gathers donations to help fund safety programs around campus. Part of the funds raised by the run will cover the cost of the event, and the balance will go to campus safety campaigns and related programs.
Student volunteers will be there to help the run go smoothly, by working at checkpoints and water stations, among other things.
"Volunteers help the race be successful, and they also help to create a sense of community. (Volunteering is) a great way to give back to the University," said Melanie Bentley-Cruz, volunteer coordinator.
Over 300 students have already volunteered, and at least 500 to 600 are needed at most Safety Runs, according to Bentley-Cruz. Volunteers can register online or in person at 235 Student Union until Friday, Sept. 21.
Anyone can volunteer in the race and no training is needed, Bentley-Cruz said.
There are also ways for students to get involved if they choose not to participate in running or volunteering, according to Bentley-Cruz. Supporters can make signs that cheer runners and walkers on throughout the race.
Also, in order to promote and encourage people to come and run together, there will be a team competition.
"The main goal for the team competition is to get students to enjoy running together, and the team with the best safety messages will win a prize," Bentley-Cruz said.
According to Costantino, representatives from local police agencies will be the honorary race-starters this year. Among those expected to attend are UB Police Chief Gerald Schoenle, Buffalo Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson and members of the New York State Police and the Amherst Police Department, according to a press release.
"We will be giving them a thank you gift and presenting them a framed race number at the start of the race," Constantino said.
Students can register in person at Alumni Arena from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 28, 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sept. 29, or on race day by 9:15 a.m.
