WHEELING — A weekend of fun and fitness for the entire family will kick off shortly after the sun rises Saturday morning over downtown Wheeling.

The Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is back for another go-round, giving folks of all ages and fitness levels the opportunity to get out and get the blood pumping. Events both Saturday and Sunday are scheduled to give runners, walkers, urban warriors and all their supporters an opportunity for exercise and fellowship.

The weekend made its return last year following two years of a COVID-19 hiatus. Hundreds of people participated in a myriad of events around Wheeling, and the field is even bigger this year.

That should add up to another memorable experience, said Perry Nardo, regional manager of The Times Leader, The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to another Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine,” Nardo said. “This wonderful event is a great kickoff to the summer season in the Ohio Valley, and it could not be possible without the amazing sponsors and volunteers that provide their time, effort and resources for these two days.

“We want to give a huge thanks to them and a huge thanks to everyone who will participate this weekend,” he continued. “You all make the Ohio Valley a great place to live and we love doing our part in helping that happen.”

Participants should expect a pleasant, dry day Saturday and a slight chance of rain Sunday during the weekend’s events, according to the National Weather Service. Saturday will have mostly sunny skies and a high near 77. Saturday morning should be in the mid-50s when the races begin.

Sunday has a 20% chance of rain with a high near 74. It should be in the mid-50s Sunday morning to start the Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour and in the upper 60s by noon Sunday when the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan begins.

Saturday’s events start bright and early, with the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Walk kicking off at 7:30 a.m. and the run following at 7:50 a.m. The Twin Pops 5K Run/Walk For Health presented by Ziegenfelder begins at 7:30 a.m. with the walk and 8 a.m. with the run.

The kids will have plenty to do Saturday morning, too. The Ogden Fun Run presented by Ziegenfelder, which takes children ages 12 and younger around downtown Wheeling, begins at 8:30 a.m. The Tiny Tot Trot presented by Ziegenfelder, for kids 5 and under, follows at 10:30 a.m. on Water Street near Heritage Port.

The entertainment Saturday begins early with DJ Jan Jursa at 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. A beer garden will open at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. ID is required.

WVU Medicine also will hold a health expo outside of WesBanco Arena, featuring representatives from nutrition services, women’s services, orthopedic and sports medicine and the Heart and Vascular Institute.

More Fun On Sunday

It’s another early start on Sunday for those wanting to get in a nice bicycle ride. The Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour will begin at 7:30 a.m. and feature 15-kilometer, 50-kilometer and 100-kilometer rides.

Then comes the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan, a challenging course with plenty of obstacles for urban warriors to tackle.

Among the obstacle sites is the former Ohio Valley Medical Center campus. It will be the only time the OVMC campus will be available for the event, as it will be torn down this year to make way for a new WVU Medicine regional cancer center.

Live entertainment will rock downtown, starting with The Sun King Warriors from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m., followed by The Delaneys from 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

The beer garden will be open at 10 a.m. Sunday and food trucks will be available to grab a bite on both days. The WVU Medicine health expo will run again Sunday.