T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Keith Hixenbaugh on left, and veteran Joe Foster prepare to run the 48th annual Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine while carrying American Flags.

WHEELING – Military veteran Joe Foster and his friend Keith Hixenbaugh ran Saturday’s Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic, part of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, in memorial of veterans.

The duo of Ohio Valley residents traversed the course while carrying American Flags.

For more than 10 years, Foster has spent every year running to raise awareness for veteran nonprofit group Team Red White and Blue Veterans Group. The organization was founded in 2010 with the mission to promote the health and well-being of military veterans.

“This is for all of the guys that sacrificed, and with it being Memorial Day weekend it’s the time to honor them,” Foster said. “I’m carrying this for all of the troops, active and inactive, all the ones who made it back, and all the ones that didn’t.”

Hixenbaugh added that he is not a veteran but is proud to honor veterans with his friend who did serve proudly.

This year will also be Hixenbaugh’s fifth competing in the race.

“Today is my first one of the year, but I mainly run half marathons,” Hixenbaugh said.

He added that the duo is only competing in the half marathon this year but have previously competed in the half marathon and the 5k run, as well as the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan.

Foster said that he keeps coming back because it’s his favorite race to run in the Ohio Valley and hopes to see it continue to grow.