The Health Plan has continued its sponsorship of the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge. Pictured are, from left, Eric Anderson, publisher of the Wetzel Chronicle, Tyler Star News and The Green Tab and the event’s director; The Health Plan CEO Jeff Knight; Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic director Joe Lovell; Jim Spanner, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register; Dave Flatley, The Health Plan marketing and communications director; and Brian Clutter, Wheeling Newspapers operations manager.

Jeff Knight, CEO of The Health Plan, said his company’s sponsorship of the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge – a highlight of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine – is an easy and fitting connection.

“It has shared values with what The Health Plan stands for – a healthy lifestyle, wellness and bringing the community together,” he said.

Plus, he added, it’s just a really cool event.

The Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan will once again take hundreds of urban warriors around – and over and through – 25 obstacles in downtown Wheeling in a five-mile mental and physical test. That challenge begins at noon Sunday, May 24.

While Knight appreciates The Health Plan’s name being part of the weekend, he said the company’s partnership with the event goes deeper than that. It’s about engagement with the community, both as volunteers and as participants. He wants his employees to really connect with the Ohio Valley through the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine.

And Knight feels the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan allows so many in the Ohio Valley to connect with wellness and physical fitness.

“You don’t have to be an elite athlete to be part of it,” he said. “You can be young. You can be a beginner, or you can be an experienced runner. It’s for all ages and all lifestyles.”

The event also gives participants an understanding about the history of Wheeling. Many of the obstacles along the course hearken back to important events or important items in the history of the Friendly City. For instance, the Bucket O’ Nails station references the old LaBelle cut nail factory that once stood in Wheeling. The Slot Machines station is a nod to the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.

“We are excited as we prepare for the 2026 version of the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan,” said Eric Anderson, publisher of the Wetzel Chronicle, Tyler Star News and The Green Tab and the event’s director. “This year’s urban challenge will feature several new obstacles along with many of the past favorites. The event is unique in that it allows runners to traverse through a variety of urban settings including factories, city parks, parking garages, and a football field all the while pushing themselves through, over and around obstacles.

“The five-mile course will contain over 20 obstacles and will test participants’ endurance, strength, and agility,” he added. “Whether going at it solo, or as a part of a group, we feel participants will be challenged and have fun doing it.”

Knight said his plan is to face the challenge this year. He said he and his daughter are scheduled to tackle the course come May 24.

The entire Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is excited for what Memorial Day weekend will bring, and can’t wait to see the throngs of people who will test their mettle in the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan.

“With The Health Plan’s support, the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan continues to be a cornerstone event of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine,” said James Spanner, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register. “And with its help, the urban challenge only continues to grow. To be able to present such an out-of-the-ordinary challenge for our participants is one of the highlights of what we do. It celebrates fitness and our city’s history, a great combination.”

To register for all the events that make up the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, visit ogdenwellnessweekend.com.