By IAN HICKS

City Editor

WHEELING — All participants in Saturday’s Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic — whether they tackle the full 13.1-mile course or the 5K events — will receive a finisher’s medal as soon as they cross the finish line.

According to Race Director R. “Scat” Scatterday, the decision to offer medals to 5K finishers for the first time this year made sense, based on numerous conversations with participants over the years. While there are any number of motivations for people to enter the race, he said they all appreciate a tangible memento of a goal achieved.

“This medal is an indication that they accomplished something they were trying to do, and what they were trying to do is conquer the course,” Scatterday said.

After a strong finish in last year’s 5K run — second in his age group and 15th overall — Parker Skedel, 14, an eighth-grader at Union Local Middle School, said he’s ready to take on the half marathon course. He’s excited about receiving the medal at the end, which lets everyone know the wearer finished the “Toughest Half Marathon in the U.S.A.”

Skedel is looking forward to putting in a good showing in his first-ever half marathon, and his dedication shows. He’s put in many hours running even after track practice at school, in addition to rising at 5 a.m. to get in a quick morning run before school.

“I don’t usually keep track of how far I run, it’s just how long I run,” he said.

Jamie Fogle of Wheeling, a 17-year-old junior at Martins Ferry High School, also finished second in her age group for last year’s 5K. She’s running the race again on Saturday, and she’s happy to see the 5K runners and walkers get medals this year.

Like Skedel, she runs track at school, and simply enjoys the thrill of running.

“It helps with stress,” Fogle said. “It’s fun.”

Race events on Saturday begin with the Half Marathon Walk at 7:30 a.m., followed by the Half Marathon Run and Run Relay at 8 a.m., the 5K Run/Walk at 8:15 a.m. and the mile-long Ogden Fun Run at 8:20 a.m.

All those events begin and end at 14th and Main streets, with the exception of the Fun Run, which begins at 14th and Main but ends on Water Street.

Registration for the Tiny Tot Trot, a 100-yard dash for children 5 and under, begins at 7:30 a.m. and the trot takes place at 9 a.m. on Water Street near Heritage Port.