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There's still time to get out and join with more than 1,000 of your closest fitness-minded friends by taking part in the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend, presented by WVU Medicine.
As we prepare for the event, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in downtown Wheeling, hundreds of walkers and runners are lacing up to compete in the 45th running of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic. Hundreds more will join them in the 5K Twin Pops Run and Walk for Health, and youngsters and families will run the Ogden Fun Run and Tiny Tot Trot, with all those races presented by Ziegenfelder. Those events are set for Saturday.
That will be followed Sunday by the third annual Tough as Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan, which will see competitors tackle a number of obstacles throughout Wheeling that will test even the most fit participants. The Tough of Nails' 6-mile course has been slightly altered this year to make it even more challenging than before.
This year's highlight will be an obstacle inside the former Ohio Valley Medical Center building. Demolition of the structure to make way for WVU Medicine's regional cancer institute is set to start later this summer, so the Tough as Nails offers one last chance to see the inside of the old hospital.
Returning this year is WVU Medicine's Health Expo on both Saturday and Sunday outside WesBanco Arena. The event will allow WVU Medicine professionals to interact with the public and raise awareness about what the local hospitals have to offer.
Prior to the Tough as Nails Sunday will be the 16th annual Wheeling Heritage Trail Partners Bike Tour along the Ohio River. This event features rides of 15, 50 and 100 kilometers.
And when the running, walking, climbing, crawling and pedaling are done, there are even more opportunities for fellowship at the post-race party, which will be held near Heritage Port for participants and public alike.
This weekend could not take place without the hundreds of volunteers, generous sponsors, top-notch assistance from the city of Wheeling -- and the good people of the Ohio Valley. For 45 years, local residents have made those participating in the event feel more than welcome. This is not something that happens everywhere, and it sets our area apart. The Wellness Weekend truly is Wheeling's event.