By IAN HICKS

City Editor

Being a part of the community has always been at the forefront for United Bank, and one of the ways it’s achieved that has been through its longstanding support of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic.

As it has for many years, United Bank — headquartered on 12th Street in downtown Wheeling — once again is sponsoring the race, which is set for Saturday.

The bank recently announced its acquisition of Cardinal Bank, adding multiple new locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland and northern Virginia. But the more things change, the more they stay the same — and the Ogden race is a big part of that, according to United Bank Manager Nathan McKeen.

“We’re growing exponentially. … We’re becoming a much larger bank, but one thing that’s really been important is to have that small-town, small bank feel,” McKeen said. “I feel like sponsoring events like this and being involved directly with events in the community kind of helps ground us.”

McKeen said United is a proud sponsor of the Ogden race, something of which he’s reminded every time he visits the office of bank President Tony Gentile and sees plaques dating back about 15 years, recognizing the company’s support of the event.

“It’s great publicity for the area,” McKeen said of the race. “It’s something that really puts the spotlight on Wheeling, and it’s something that brings a lot of diverse people together that might not normally be involved in the same things.”

Although he’s never entered the race himself, McKeen is no stranger to running.

“It’s a challenge, and it’s one of those things where you can build up discipline. And that discipline you can apply to any area in your life,” he said.

McKeen said the rigors of running a race like the Ogden Half Marathon are substantial — which can be a benefit in itself.

“You have to prepare yourself for it,” he said. “You grow a lot as a person doing something like that.”

Registration for this year’s race is available at ogdenhalfmarathonclassic.com.

Ogden race events on May 27 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 8 a.m. and the trot takes place at 9 a.m. on Water Street near Heritage Port.