A Weekend of Fun, Fitness and Family

Very few special events in Wheeling involve as many participants and community members as the annual Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend, presented by WVU Medicine.

As we prepare for the event, scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 28-29, hundreds of walkers and runners are lacing up to compete in the 44th running of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic. Hundreds more will join them in the 5K Twin Pops Run and Walk for Health, and youngsters and families will run the Ogden Fun Run and Tiny Tot Trot, with all those races presented by Ziegenfelder.

That will be followed on May 29 by the Tough as Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan, which for the second time will take to the streets of Wheeling. Competitors will tackle a grueling course of obstacles and challenges that will test even the most fit participants. The Tough of Nails’ 6-mile course has been slightly altered this year to make it even more challenging than before.

New this year is WVU Medicine’s Health Expo on both May 28 and May 29 at WesBanco Arena. The event will allow WVU Medicine professionals to interact with the public and raise awareness about what the local hospitals have to offer.

And when the running, walking, climbing and crawling are done, there are even more opportunities for fellowship at the post-race party, which will be held near Heritage Port for participants and public alike. This will give everyone a chance to reminisce about their day while enjoying a cold beverage.

This event could never take place without the hundreds of volunteers, the many generous sponsors, top-notch assistance from the city of Wheeling — and the good people of the Ohio Valley. For 44 years, local residents have made those participating in the event feel more than welcome. This mixture of eager and capable volunteers, supportive sponsors, an eager host city, local residents and competitors is not something that happens everywhere, and it sets our area apart. The Wellness Weekend truly is Wheeling’s event.