By IAN HICKS

City Editor

The Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic is partnering with Mountain River Physical Therapy to provide for the pre- and post-race needs of all runners and walkers this year.

Mountain River, which has offices in Wheeling, Wellsburg, St. Clairsville and New Martinsville, will have eight to 12 clinical staff members on hand near the start/finish line for the 41st-annual race, which is set for May 27 on the streets of Wheeling. There, they’ll be able to assist participants quickly with stretching, cramps and general recovery from the rigors of what’s often called the “toughest half marathon in America.”

“We feel blessed to have the opportunity to be involved with an event of this magnitude and tenure in the Ohio Valley. … It’s extremely important for us to serve the communities where we work and live,” said Bill Isaly, vice president of business development for Mountain River.

Mountain River’s support of the race will be essential to the event’s success, according to Race Director R. “Scat” Scatterday.

“We are very pleased to consider them an integral team member,” Scatterday said.

Mountain River, founded in 1999 in Mineral Wells, W.Va., has had a presence in Wheeling since opening its National Road clinic in October 2008, and in February it set up shop at the J.B. Chambers YMCA in Elm Grove — which, incidentally, will be the recipient of proceeds from this year’s Ogden race.

Leading Mountain River’s team on race day will be physical therapist Adrian Moses. He and other staff members have a wealth of experience in athletic training, as they serve many of the area’s sports teams. They’re also prepared to deal with the entire spectrum of issues that runners and walkers — who range in age from children to those in their 80s — may encounter on race day.

Moses and others will keeping a close eye on participants to determine who may need post-race attention — or who may require the assistance of Dr. James Comerci and the two other physicians who will also be on hand on race day.

“It’s about getting that person to the right help,” Moses said.

According to Isaly, Mountain River provides evidence-based care in a friendly environment.

“It’s clinically proven. People don’t just want to get better, they want to know why they’re getting better,” Isaly said.

Scatterday said he has direct, personal experience with the professional care that Mountain River provides.

“As a client of Mountain River, I have experienced the quality, hands-on approach of achieving good outcomes,” he said.

Online registration for the race is available at ogdenhalfmarathonclassic.com.

Ogden race events begin May 27 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.

The Tiny Tot Trot, a 100-yard dash for children 5 and under, takes place at 9 a.m. on Water Street near Heritage Port with registration beginning at 8 a.m.