Saturday Wellness Weekend Events Offer Plethora of Workout Opportunities
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WHEELING -- Classic events merged with new features Saturday during the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine to give participants and spectators plenty to do and plenty to cheer for throughout the day.
The day showcased runners and walkers of all ages and levels who either braved the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic course or tackled the 5K course presented by WVU Medicine Children's. Hundreds took part in both, making for a packed downtown and a spectacle for Wheeling residents all along the course.
Jim Spanner is in his first year as general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register and is also in his maiden voyage with the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine. Throughout Saturday, he marveled at the variety -- and the quality -- of the events offered.
"It's amazing," Spanner said. "All these moving parts come together because of all the hard work of a lot of individuals and a lot of groups. They come together and do all this work in advance to make a day like this seem seamless.
"I was able to really enjoy the day because of all the hard work done by the people beforehand," he added.
Around 1,000 people participated in Saturday's events at the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine. Some were able to participate for the first time.
The premier event of the day was the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Run and Walk, which sent hundreds of competitors throughout many of Wheeling's neighborhoods to traverse steep hills and plenty of different sights.
Those folks were welcomed by volunteers throughout the course passing out water and Gatorade. Some were in an official capacity. Others -- like Dupe's Scoops in Fulton and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in downtown Wheeling -- took it upon themselves to pass out water and popsicles to runners and walkers tackling the challenging course.
Those wanting a good workout, but not the challenge of a half-marathon, participated in the 5K Run and Walk presented by WVU Medicine Children's, which took runners and walkers along Wheeling Heritage Trail and gave them an opportunity to travel along the Ohio River.
The day's youngest participants had their chance to get going near Heritage Port with the Ogden Fun Run and Tiny Tot Trot, both presented by WVU Medicine Children's. The Fun Run allowed older children to run a 1-mile course through downtown Wheeling, while the Tiny Tot Trot gave children ages 5 and younger the opportunity to burn some energy for a 100-yard ramble.
The youngsters also could pal around with mascots like Spike from the Wheeling Nailers, the Pirate Parrot and two of Mrs. T's Pierogies.
There was a major new event this year that incorporated people's furry friends -- Rovers on the River presented by Play N Stay Pet Camp. That event gave pets and their people the ability to take on a 1½-mile course filled with fun obstacles for the animals.
Saturday's events were another popular affair. There were 399 people registered for the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Run and 76 registered for the walk. Another 218 were registered for the 5K Run presented by WVU Medicine Children's and another 314 registered for the walk. Sixty-six were registered for the Ogden Fun Run presented by WVU Medicine Children's and 86 were registered for the Tiny Tot Trot presented by WVU Medicine. Rovers on the River saw 55 register.
"The last two weeks, it just exploded," said Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Race Director Joe Lovell. "With all the people who just signed up (Friday) and everyone that showed up (Saturday), and the perfect weather, everything went great."