Participants work their way through the Tough as Nails Urban Challenge during the Ogden Wellness Weekend in 2019. This year’s Tough as Nails, presented by The Health Plan, offers even more obstacles and a longer course. (File photo)
WHEELING – For the first time in two years, runners can leave their mark in downtown Wheeling this coming Memorial Day weekend.
Presented by WVU Medicine, Ogden Wellness Weekend is returning for the first time since 2019, and road warriors – whether they are recreational runners, advanced long-distance stars, or those looking for a multi-faceted urban challenge – have the opportunity to attend multiple fitness-themed events for fun and family.
Registration for all events of the weekend – Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic, Tough as Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan, Ogden 5K Run presented by Ziegenfelder, Ogden 5K Walk presented by Ziegenfelder, Ogden Tiny Trot and Ogden Fun Run, both also presented by Ziegenfelder, is now open on ogdenwellnessweekend.com.
The opening weekend in 2019 was a popular one, but the COVID-19 pandemic has put the event on the shelf for the next two years. This hiatus ends on May 28th and 29th as events have been given the green light again.
“Everyone connected to Wellness Weekend is looking forward to a great weekend of events,” said Perry Nardo, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register. “We are grateful to our sponsors that they have remained loyal to us over the past two years.”
The festival tent events of the weekend each have a day of their own. The 44th edition of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic will take place on Saturday, May 28th, with the walk at 7:30 am and the run at 8:00 am. The Health Plan’s Tough As Nails Urban Challenge will start at noon on Sunday, May 29th.
Runners are familiar with the 21.1 mile half marathon route they will run this Saturday morning. The Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan Course, a popular challenge that took participants over numerous obstacles in multiple wheeling neighborhoods, will have several new features, according to event organizer Jim Gibbons.
“It’s going to be a tough Tough As Nails course,” he said. “We plan to add more obstacles and larger climbs to the already demanding course. We’ll be adding more torso obstacles, including rope climbing and a few more walls. “
Gibbons said attendees found climbing East Wheeling stairs the toughest component of the course, and the new upper body obstacles will offset the strain. With the new obstacles planned – which could bring the total to 25, Gibbons said – the course will be longer, from 6 miles in 2019 to nearly 7 miles next May.
The first Tough As Nails attracted 700 participants to the course. Gibbons said there is a lot of excitement about his return. The event offers attendees something beyond the usual mud run to test their endurance.
“What we offer is an urban run that is unique,” he said. “We are integrating existing structures in the city so that we can climb and climb and jump over them. We want to give people a different view of the city. “
For those looking for a lighter workout during Ogden Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, there are plenty of options for all ages to get out and get the blood flowing. The Ogden Newspaper 5 km walk presented by Ziegenfelder starts at 8:10 am on May 28th, followed by the Ogden Newspaper 5 km walk presented by Ziegenfelder at 8:20 am For the younger ones there is a fun run presented by Ziegenfelder at 8 am : 25 p.m. May 28 and a Tiny Tot Trot presented by Ziegenfelder at 10:30 a.m.
On Monday, May 30th, the Ohio Valley Trail Partners are hosting the Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour starting at 7:00 a.m.
To celebrate the end of one of the events during Ogden Wellness Weekend, a party will populate the waterfront on both Saturday and Sunday. The celebrations on Saturday take place from 7.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. They offer a beer garden, Bloody Marys and mimosas, as well as a DJ and several bands.
Event organizers are ready for a fun weekend.
“I’m really excited that the wellness weekend is back on schedule,” said Nardo, “and I’m sure that all runners, walkers and urban warriors look forward to coming out, challenging themselves and competing against each other.”
“Words really can’t explain how excited we are to rebuild this and bring the community back together,” Gibbons said.
For more information about the Ogden Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, please visit ogdenwellnessweekend.com.
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