The 47th annual Ogden Wellness Weekend successfully brought together both runners and walkers of all skill levels in Wheeling over Memorial Day weekend, showcasing the community’s commitment to health and fitness. Participants faced challenging courses, with hundreds embracing the experience during the half marathon and 5K events.
Jess Moore, Associate Vice President of Foundations and Community Relations for WVU Medicine, expressed her pride in the local turnout. “We’re super proud of the community and how many people came out to support their health and to stay in shape and to work out. But this is also such a beautiful community event. There are tons of families here, lots of mascots, lots of different businesses. We’re also really proud of how many employees we had participate in the half marathon and the 5K today,” she noted.
The races kicked off early in the morning, with the half marathon starting at 7:15 a.m. followed shortly by walkers. 5K participants began their race just before 8 a.m., supported by numerous volunteers who were eager to help ensure their success.
Race Director Joe Lovell emphasized the role of community involvement, stating, “It’s a process, but as you can see, without all the volunteers and all of our sponsors, we couldn’t do it. So, it’s one of those gratifying things when it all comes together.”
Participants were greeted with medals handed out by Miss West Virginia and other representatives as they crossed the finish line. Elizabeth Stern, a participant, shared her thoughts on the event, highlighting the camaraderie and support from fellow runners. “I liked seeing everyone I knew from home, that was so awesome and all the support. But the hills, especially the one by generations, was killer. I walked most of it. Other than that, the weather was great, the support was great, and it was a really well put on race and I’ll definitely do it again next year,” she recounted.
Following the races, attendees enjoyed a lively atmosphere with food trucks, a bar, a DJ, and plenty of photo opportunities. The weekend’s events continue with the Wheeling Heritage Bicycle Tour and the Tough as Nails Challenge scheduled for Sunday morning, with registration details available on the event’s website.
This annual event not only reinforces community wellness but fosters unity, making it a celebration of fitness and togetherness that many look forward to year after year.