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Whether you're running, walking, walking with a four-legged friend, biking, climbing over, ducking under or getting around - or just sitting back and watching others do all those things - there's something for you Saturday and Sunday at the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine.
Thousands will converge on downtown Wheeling over those two days to test their endurance and strength, to get out and get active and to join others with that common goal of celebrating fitness and family.
And while so many people tackle challenging race courses and obstacles, there are so many people and organizations throughout the Ohio Valley that spend countless hours putting the weekend together for everyone to enjoy.
If you join everyone during the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, you'll see throngs of volunteers. They'll be handing out water during the numerous races, and handing out medals and snacks at the finish lines. They'll be helping guide competitors where they need to go and shepherding the youngest runners to the finish. Their thankless work is what makes the weekend an event that brings people back each year.
Sponsors are crucial to the cause. Without them, the weekend wouldn't be the highlight and grand kickoff to the summer that it is. They join with race organizers with one goal - to create something that benefits their neighbors and makes a great memory.
And there are so many other residents and businesses that enhance the event, through their encouragement to competitors on the courses and their quality work and products to give visitors a fantastic Friendly City experience.
If you're looking for a way to break a sweat, there are so many options over the two days - from the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic, the 5K Run & Walk for Health, the Tiny Tot Trot and Ogden Fun Run (all presented by Bordas & Bordas), the Rovers on the River dog event presented by Play N Stay Pet Camp, all on Saturday, to the unique Tough as Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan and the Wheeling Heritage Trail Partners Bicycle Tour on Sunday.
And there will be plenty of fun away from the competition arenas, with a DJ spinning tunes Saturday and a concert by local favorites Eli and the Mojo Kings on Sunday.
The Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine has continued to grow each year. That comes from the volunteers and sponsors who support it and the participants who return year after year, and bring new friends along for the ride.
We can't wait to see all of you this weekend. Good luck to the competitors and thank you to the numerous people who help make it a yearly success.