Many City Departments Integral to Success of Ogden Wellness Weekend
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WHEELING -- The Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is an event that puts the entire city of Wheeling on display.
The 13.1-mile Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic sends runners through many of Wheeling's neighborhoods. The Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan has entrants traversing several of the city's landmarks.
Those two days also display the work many city departments take on to help make the Wellness Weekend as successful as it has been for so many years. Weekend organizers feel the city's help is crucial, and city officials say it's their pleasure to lend a hand to one of Wheeling's signature events.
The 45th running of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic will happen Saturday, May 27, with the walk starting at 7:30 a.m. and the run starting at 7:50 a.m. On Sunday, May 28, the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan kicks off at noon. The Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour will precede it at 7:30 a.m.
There are several other events Saturday for people of all fitness levels. The 5K Twin Pops Walk presented by Ziegenfelder will start at 7:30 a.m. May 27, with the 5K Twin Pops Run presented by Ziegenfelder following at 8 a.m. For the younger set, there will be Ogden Fun Run presented by Ziegenfelder at 8:30 a.m. May 27 and a Tiny Tot Trot presented by Ziegenfelder at 10:30 a.m.
Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron has seen the weekend grow and evolve over the years. And now that it encompasses the full weekend, he said it has cemented itself as one of Wheeling's top annual events.
"Since the weekend has been expanded, it's become even more attractive from an event perspective in bringing people into downtown Wheeling," Herron said. "But the fact that it's focused on fitness and fun just makes it even more special for the city.
"You can't help but go down to the events over the weekend and just smile," he added, "because families are there. Companies get teams together. Little kids have the ability to participate. It's just an all-around first-class event."
Herron gave a special thank you to the West Virginia Division of Highways for helping as much as they can during the Downtown Streetscape Project to keep the course open for participants to enjoy and keeping the work sites as safe as possible so runners can get to the finish line.
The city's operations department lends a hand in blocking off streets, helping supply water sources for aid stations, setting up traffic cones and cleaning up once the races conclude. The Wheeling Police Department spends most of the weekend dealing with traffic control, maintaining a balance of contestants participating safely and motorists getting where they need to go. Officers also handle security over the two days. The Wheeling Fire Department has personnel stationed along all the race courses, keeping an eye on runners and urban warriors to make sure that, if they are in distress, they're taking care of as quickly as possible.
Both Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger and Fire Chief James Blazier said their departments' preparation for the weekend starts early and is extensive. The level of the police and fire participation is just as extensive. Schwertfeger said about half of the force participates that weekend, as well as neighborhood volunteers. Blazier said every on-duty firefighter will work the Wellness Weekend, as will some off-duty personnel.
Schwertfeger said his department understands what the Wellness Weekend means to the city, and wants to do what it can to make it go.
"It's a flagship event," he said. "It's our responsibility to make sure the traffic flows and the participants are safe. Everybody steps up and we make it happen. We recognize it's a flagship event and, quite honestly, it's our honor."
Blazier has been a part of the event in one way or another in each of his 34 years with the department. To him, it's the kickoff to the summer, and he and his department always want to make it a memorable one.
"It's a huge event," he said. "It's always been a big attraction to the city of wheeling. We want people to have a great experience and come back next year. So we make sure we provide a good service and good experience for everybody involved."
Perry Nardo, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, said the city's cooperation and assistance with the Wellness Weekend is one of the reasons it remains a signature Wheeling event.
"I can't stress enough how important the city of Wheeling's support is in making the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine a success," he said. "We're always grateful for the help the city provides and this year is no different. We can't wait to once again showcase our city and present a weekend of fun and fitness that the entire family can enjoy."