Bre Rupe crosses the finish line to win the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic women's title.

WHEELING – Youngstown native Bre Rupe is no stranger to running. A four-year standout distance runner at Walsh University from 2016-20, she clocked out in 1 hour, 24 minutes, 13 seconds to win the 47th annual Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic women’s race on Saturday.

The race took runners around different sections of the Friendly City.

“This was my first time running this race,” she explained. “It was tough. I looked it up beforehand so I knew there were some big hills. I thought I was mentally prepared, but it was pretty hard.”

Rupe is in her fourth year as a member of the Youngstown State track and field and cross country coaching staffs.

In her three seasons, the women have captured the Horizon League Indoor and Outdoor Championships on two occasions. The men won the triple crown in 2022-23 and 2023-24 Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Horizon League titles. The men added the 2024 Horizon League Cross Country title in November.

“I was really looking for a trail race this weekend,” she noted. “I wanted to run on trails and this popped up on Google. I was like ‘whatever,’ I’ll just run it.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Walsh in 2019 while picking up her master’s in business administration in 2020.

While running at Walsh, she was a two-time national qualifier with the Distance Medley Relay where she ran the 800-meter leg. During her junior year, the Cavaliers placed fifth at the indoor national meet, earning All-America status. She also qualified for the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships in 2019 where Walsh placed 10th, the highest finish in school history.

A native of Hartville, Ohio, she is a graduate of Marlington High School.

“I’ve only run one or two half marathons before very seriously, but for how hard the course was, I’m pretty happy with my time.

“Winning made the trip here worthwhile.”

When asked about returning in 2026 to defend her title, she was hesitant to confirm an answer.

“Maybe. I don’t know,” she said. “That course was pretty mean.”

Her husband, Eric, also a Youngstown State assistant track and field and cross country coach, also ran the half marathon. He finished third overall in a time of 1:11.19.

Finishing second was Springfield’s Laurel le Moigne in 1:25.19, while Wheeling’s Shae Reinbeau was third in 1:35.19. Placing fourth was Morgantown’s Lindsay Scheffel with a time of 1:37.39. Wheeling’s Brenna Tipton was fifth in 1:38.00.