Competitors set out on the 13.1-mile half marathon course during the 2025 Ogden Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine. This year’s Wellness Weekend is scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-24. (File Photo)

WHEELING — The arctic blast of cold temperatures the Ohio Valley has dealt with over the last few days may push ideas of summer fun to the back burner, but that hasn’t stopped organizers for the annual Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine from getting ready for an event that brings thousands to downtown Wheeling each Memorial Day weekend.

Registration is now open for all the events surrounding the weekend, to be held May 23-24. Registration — as well as some videos of training tips from WVU Medicine experts — can be found at ogdenwellnessweekend.com.

“The Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is a special time for Wheeling, its residents and its neighbors,” said Jim Spanner, general manager of the Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register. “We’re so happy to be able to partner with our great sponsors and work with an awesome crew of volunteers to present a weekend full of fun and fitness.”

The fun begins Saturday, May 23, with the 48th running of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic, a 13.1-mile trek throughout several Wheeling neighborhoods. The race is famous for the complexity and challenge of the course, which is full of hills that give racers all they can handle. The Half Marathon Run is scheduled for a 7:15 a.m. start, with the Half Marathon Walk following at 7:20 a.m.

For those looking for a less taxing way to get some exercise – and for tykes with little legs – the Saturday schedule has the answer. The 5K Run presented by WVU Medicine Children’s will start at 7:25 a.m. May 23, with the 5K Walk presented by WVU Medicine Children’s starting at 7:30 a.m. For youngsters, there will be a Fun Run presented by WVU Medicine Children’s at 8:15 a.m. May 23 and a Tiny Tot Trot presented by WVU Medicine Children’s at 10:30 a.m.

Four-legged friends will get their opportunity for exercise that Saturday as well. Rovers on the River presented by Play N Stay Pet Camp will be held at 11:15 a.m. May 23, with the staging area sitting near the children’s events. The course includes a walk along Heritage Trail taking participants behind WesBanco Arena and across the walking bridge over Wheeling Creek. Pets can traverse fun obstacles in the field behind Main Street Bank before returning to the walking bridge and ending at Nailers Way between the WesBanco Arena and the parking garage.

Sunday, May 24, brings with it another set of fun physical challenges, including the popular Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan. That event, which begins at noon Sunday, allows urban warriors to climb, crawl, run and jump around, over and through various obstacles throughout downtown.

“It’s as much fun for us to come up with new challenges for our urban warriors as it is for them to tackle them,” said event director Eric Anderson, publisher of the Tyler Star News, Wetzel Chronicle and The Green Tab. “We’re so happy that the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan has become such an integral and anticipated part of the overall weekend. We promise you’ll have another course you won’t want to miss.”

Sunday also will offer another chance for cyclists – from recreational riders to die-hards – to hit the road. The Wheeling Heritage Trail Bike Tour will begin that morning, offering cyclists trails of 100 km, 50 km and 15 km to ride. The 100 km ride begins at 7:30 a.m., with the 50 km ride following at 8:30 a.m. and the 15 km ride going at 9 a.m.

Those valiant enough to tackle all three of the weekend’s major events can sign up for the Ultra Urban Challenge. Those who finish all three will receive a custom t-shirt.

Competitors on both days of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, will have the chance to celebrate with fellow competitors, family and friends following their events.. A bar at the race site will open at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. A DJ will play Saturday from 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and there will be live music Sunday from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

“The Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is an excellent way to kick off the summer season,” Spanner said. “It’s something the whole family can enjoy and we invite every family in the Ohio Valley and abroad to come experience it.”