Fun Run, Tot Trot give kids time to shine during Ogden Wellness Weekend
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WHEELING -- The Ogden Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is designed for the entire family to have fun and get some exercise. In that vein, the weekend offers the opportunity for some of the tiniest legs to get a workout around the event site.
So while more experienced runners test their mettle on the course of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic or the 5K Twin Pops Run and Walk For Health presented by Ziegenfelder, children up to 12 years old will have a pair of races designed to get the blood flowing.
On Saturday, May 27, at 8:30 a.m., kids ages 12 and under can participate in the Ogden Fun Run presented by Ziegenfielder.
At 10:30 a.m., children 5 and under can join the Tiny Tot Trot, presented by Ziegenfielder.
"Spending quality time together and being active are keys to wellness for the entire family," said Jennifer Compton-Strough, managing editor of The Times Leader and Tiny Tot Trot coordinator, "so it just makes sense to provide plenty of opportunities for kids to have fun while their parents, grandparents and perhaps older siblings participate in our distance races."
The Ogden Fun Run takes kids on a jaunt around downtown Wheeling, starting at the race start/finish line on 14th Street and ending on Water Street along Heritage Port. From the start finish line, runners will head up 14th to Eoff Street. The course then turns left, heading north on Eoff to 11th Street West.
They'll next head down the hill next to the Wheeling YMCA, crossing Chapline Street and heading to Market Street. A right turn there sends them north to 10th Street, then left onto 10th to Main Street. Another left puts contestants on Main Street South.
The course then turns right on 11th Street by Bobo the Elephant at Heritage Port Gateway Park, then left onto Water Street. The course continues for 300 yards on Water Street beside Heritage Port.
The Tiny Tot Trot gives the youngest runners a chance to race near Heritage Port. Children ages 4 and 5 will run first, followed by children ages 3 and under.
The location of the Tot Trot has been moved slightly, shifting from Water Street to the upper lawn area of Heritage Port between Water Street and the Ohio River.
"By moving our 100-yard dash for our littlest racers away from the street and into Heritage Port, we will have more room on the lawn for fun and games before and after the non-competitive race," Compston-Strough added. "It will also allow us to create an even more festive atmosphere in a safe and beautiful area."
In addition to Ziegenfelder, sponsors providing support for the Fun Run and Tiny Tot Trot include Unified Bank, Outback Steakhouse and McDonald's.
"We can't wait to welcome these small but mighty runners to our Wellness Weekend," Compston-Strough noted.
Both races are non-competitive. A $15 entry fee for the Ogden Fun Run includes a race t-shirt. Pre-registered runners are guaranteed a t-shirt. Parents are encouraged to run with their children at no cost or pay $15 and also receive a t-shirt. T-shirt sizes and quantities will be limited on race day.
The Tiny Tot Trot pre-registration lasts until May 9. A $10 entry fee for that race includes a t-shirt and all entrants will receive a finish award ribbon. Registration and packet pick up is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. May 27.
New to the slate of children's activities for 2023 is the addition of attractions from the Pittsburgh Pirates' Family Fun Zone. The Pirate Parrot and Pierogies mascots will be on hand, along with a balloon artist and a face painter. They will be present before and during the Tiny Tot Trot at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27. During the remainder of the Wellness Weekend, they will be stationed on the patio of WesBanco Arena, where the Fun Zone will also feature inflatable pitching and batting machines to test the skills of family members of all ages.
"We are thrilled to be able to offer even more family-friendly entertainment during this year's Wellness Weekend with the help of the Pittsburgh Pirates," Compston-Strough said.
To register for the Ogden Fun Run or Tiny Tot Trot, head to ogdenwellnessweekend.com.