Linda Yalem Run takes on new meaning in 18th year

For 17 years, the University at Altemio C. Sanchez pled guilty Buffalo has honored the memory of slain student Linda Yalem and promoted personal safety by holding a 5K race on the school's North Campus.

But this year's event, the 18th annual Linda Yalem Safety Run, has a special significance for members of the UB community, with the capture and conviction of the man responsible for raping and killing Ms. Yalem in September 1990 as she trained for the New York City marathon on the Amherst bike path along the northern edge of UB's North Campus. to being the "bike path rapist," responsible for murdering three women: Ms. Yalem; Joan Diver, wife of UB faculty member Steven Diver; and MaJane Mazur. Sanchez is now serving a sentence of 75 years to life in the state prison system for the murders.

With the capture of Sanchez, this year's race is bittersweet for the entire UB community, said Andrea Costantino, director of student life and race director.

UB will continue to hold the race to promote personal safety to the running and walking community.

More than 1,000 walkers and runners and more than 600 volunteers are expected to participate in this year's event. The race will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Alumni Arena on UB's North Campus.

Registration is $20 for the general public and $15 for UB students. The registration deadline is Sept. 27.

For information, visit www.lindayalemrun. buffalo.edu.