Photo by Eric Ayres Brenda Colvin of Wheeling won the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Walk on Saturday, marking her second victory in a row in the event among women racers.

WHEELING – Brenda Colvin of Wheeling successfully defended her title as Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Walk champion on Saturday, claiming the top spot on the women’s podium for the second year in a row.

No stranger to the events of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, Colvin is a regular walker who each year can be found toward the front of the pack.

“I’ve done it a lot – I have no idea how many,” she said of her overall race history at Ogden Wellness Weekend. “I always walk.”

She noted that she has done the 5K Walk many times, but lately has been doing the Half Marathon. Despite a time of 2:39:54 and her second victory in a row, she said she knows she can push herself to do better.

“I wanted it to be a little bit faster,” she said. “I’m slower than last year.”

Colvin said the weather was cool, but it was still a little bit humid, which can bring the threat of a little bit of cramping on the course.

“We thought rain was coming,” she said. “We had a few sprinkles, but the weather was great.”

Many of the regular racers in the Ogden Wellness Weekend events – particularly the hardcore walkers – have become walking companions over the years who hang out, train and tackle races together, Colvin said, noting that she tries to do a 5K or 10K race every weekend.

“We also workout with friends,” she said. “We cheer each other on and motivate each other.”

Some of the walkers travel to destination events, but the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is home base to many.

“We do every race we can find,” Colvin said. “Our furthest was in Key West – we did a half marathon in Key West with our friends – it was fun. And we went to Philadelphia this year.”