UB to Hold 16th Annual Linda Yalem Run on Sept. 25

By Sue Wuetcher

Release Date: September 15, 2005 This content is archived.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- More than 1,000 racers are expected to participate in the 16th annual Linda Yalem Safety Run, to begin at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 25 on the University at Buffalo North (Amherst) Campus.

The run is held yearly in memory of Linda Yalem, a 22-year-old UB student who was raped and murdered Sept. 30, 1990, while running on the Ellicott Creek bicycle path, near campus. She was training for the New York City Marathon.

Race registration fees support efforts to promote personal safety awareness and rape prevention programming at UB. A small grove of trees also was established near the bike path in Yalem's memory by race organizers.

The 5K USA Track-and-Field-Certified course is one of most popular races in Western New York and a qualifying race for The Buffalo News "Runner of the Year" series.

Awards will go to the top overall male and female finishers, as well as the top three male and female finishers in five age categories, top race-walkers and top wheelchair racers.

Others prizes will go out to top UB finishers in the categories of male, female, faculty/staff, student and alumni. Other raffle prizes include merchandise and gift certificates.

The men's course record is held by David A. O'Keefe, clinical assistant professor of family medicine, with a time of 14:39 in 1991. The women's course record is held by Vicki A. Mitchell, head coach of the UB women's cross-country and track team with a time of 17:31 in 2001.

Those interested in participating in the race should register in 150 Student Union or in Alumni Arena from 4-7:30 p.m. Sept. 23. Registrants also can call 645-2055 or go online at http://www.lindayalemrun.buffalo.edu. Advanced registration is $17 and runs until Sept. 23. Race day registration is $20 and begins at 7:30 a.m. at Alumni Arena. UB students pay $12.

Free long-sleeve race T-shirts go to the first 1,000 registrants.

Race organizers also are seeking volunteers. To help out, contact Pam Stephens-Jackson at 645-2055 or Mary Clare Fahey at 645-6469.