Ogden 20K highlights grand weekend

By CASEY JUNKINS
WHEELING — The 32nd annual Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Run and Walk is Wheeling’s premier event for 2008. And while Race Director Robert “Scat” Scatterday has his hands full preparing for the distance race, he and others are determined to provide quality entertainment throughout the entire Memorial Day weekend of May 23-26.


“I realized that what we have going on with the race coincides with several other nice things going on here in Wheeling on Memorial Day weekend. We want people to know they can come to Wheeling and spend an entire weekend,” he said.


The second annual Wheeling Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour, the Wheeling Jamboree, and concerts at Heritage Port and Oglebay Park are some of the events of which Scatterday speaks.


“I think it will be mutually beneficial for all of us to work together to promote the entire weekend package,” Scatterday said.


The 32nd annual Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Run and Walk gets under way at 4 p.m. Friday, May 23, with the Olympic-style Torch Relay, led by West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin. The relay will make its way through the community and honor those who have served in all branches of the military.


This will be followed at 6:15 p.m. by a Blackhawk helicopter flyover and landing on the Heritage Port stage. The Tiny Tot Trot will begin at 6:45 p.m., followed by the Ogden Fun Run at 7 p.m. and the Ogden/Masters Mile at 7:15 p.m.


Action kicks off at 7:30 a.m. Saturday with the 20K Walk. The main event — the 20K run — begins at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K Run and Walk at 8:15 a.m.


From 9 a.m. to noon, the “Easy Street” concert will take place at Heritage Port.


“At 11:30, we are going to have ’Lunch on the Port’ with salad, wings, meatballs and pizza,” Scatterday said. Those participating in the 20K run will get to eat for free, while meals will be available to the public at the cost of $5 per person.


The Wheeling Jamboree will hold a concert at WesBanco Arena, kicking off at 7 p.m. Saturday. Musical artists scheduled to perform include The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Cherryholmes, The Fabulous Bender Boys and the Jamboree Trio.


Jeff McCamic of the Wheeling Jamboree said he is pleased to have all of the events falling on the same weekend.


“Anytime you can bring more people into the city, it will prove beneficial to everyone. Hopefully, we can keep things like this going,” he said.


For more information on the Wheeling Jamboree, call 304-232-6750.


Meanwhile, Bridges, a band specializing in folk music, will play at the Towngate Theater in Center Wheeling at 8 p.m. Saturday.


At 9 a.m. Sunday, registration for the second annual Wheeling Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour will take place at Heritage Port, with the tour slated for a 10 a.m. start.


Cyclists will be able to choose from one of three rides. The 10- and 25-mile rides will remain on the trail, while the 100K ride will leave the trail near Brooke County and loop through Bethany and West Liberty, making a stop at Bethany College.


Following their rides, participants will return to the port for lunch.


The Friends of Wheeling also will lead a tour for casual bike riders and walkers that will feature stops at historic sites where guides will discuss the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the Stifel Calico Works, Warwick China, Mail Pouch Tobacco and other historic places that lined the Ohio River during the height of Wheeling’s industrial power.


For more information on the 32nd annual Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Run and Walk, visit www.ogden20kclassic.com or call 304-233-0100, ext. 317.