×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Perfect Day for the 42nd Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic

N.Y. Native Wins 42nd Annual Race

WHEELING — The 42nd running of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic was another successful event as the weather cooperated, the numbers were up and the overall winner will be putting his earnings toward a good cause.

Bryan Morseman broke the tape at a time of 1:14.01.5, easily claiming the event in his first running of the race. Morseman has won a number of races with almost all his earnings going to help medical bills for his son, Leeim.

Leeim, 3, was born with spina bifida and comes to cheer on his dad at all his races.

Morseman uses that as his inspiration.

“He will never be able to run in his life,” Morseman said. “He will have a hard time walking. It is tough but when I think about him, it makes those hills out there seem like nothing.”

Morseman contacted Assistant Race Director Joe Lovell earlier in the week. From there, the Bath, N.Y., native put his name among the some of the best runners in the country as a winner of the prestigious event.

“He came in late, registers late and ends up winning,” Lovell said. “He is an elite runner and this was a tremendous story. You are sad about his son, but what he does for him is heartwarming. Perfect person to win this race.”

Other winners included:

∫ Female Half Marathon Run: Aimee Vavrok, Bellaire (1:36.11.4);

∫ Male Half Marathon Walk: Carl Kondrach, Barnesville (2:10;11.7);

∫ Female Half Marathon Walk: Lauren Ritz, Wheeling (2:23:09);

∫ Men 5K Run: Angelo Quattrochi, New Cumberland (18:49.1);

∫ Female 5K Run: Molly Brown, Grove City, Ohio (20:21.7);

∫ Male 5K Walk: Terry Whitecotton, Wheeling (36:09); and

∫ Female 5K Walk: Karen Highfield, Colliers (40:23).

Plus, it was another fun-filled day for the kids with the Tiny Tot Trot and the Fun Run.

“It was a great turnout, great weather, not too many issues with people getting hurt,” Lovell said. “It was an overall great day with all the fun things everyone had to do.

“All the Ogden Newspapers employees help put this together, all our departments work together to make this a success. All our sponsors — the Wheeling Hospital sports medicine team, Mountain River Physical Therapy, Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration for the pictures being taken that will be online, Project BEST, The Health Plan and WesBanco for putting our corporate challenge together and bringing our numbers way up. Plus Bordas & Bordas, United Bank, the Ohio County Commission, the city of Wheeling, Steptoe and Johnson, Riesbeck’s Food Market and Bob Robinson. We couldn’t do this without them.”

According to Lovell, 1,119 participated in the race, up nearly 300 from last year.

“I’d like to thank all the runners and the families that support them,” Perry Nardo, general manager of The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register, said. “All of our sponsors that help us get through this event and support us, the city of Wheeling that does an outstanding job setting this up, and of course, our employees for all their hard work to make this event a success.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today