Photo by Lauren Taylor From left, Rylee Elling, Jordan Elling and Rayne Elling await lineup for the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Run Saturday morning in downtown Wheeling.

The Elling sisters lined up as a trio at the starting line of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic Run Saturday morning in downtown Wheeling.

The race was 18-year-old Rayne Elling’s fourth half marathon, but the first one she has completed with her twin sister Rylee Elling, 18, and oldest sister Jordan Elling, 27, by her side.

Both first-time half marathon runners took inspiration from watching Rayne compete in the past.

Jordan said watching her younger sister at her last race marked her decision to take on the 13.1-mile race.

“I was with her last year when she ran her third one,” she said. “I did a 5K and that was the day I decided, next year, I will be doing a half marathon as well.”

Rylee said in addition to her sister’s racing career, her recent interest in long-distance running persuaded her to sign up.

“I was really inspired by her doing half marathons and I’ve recently gotten into running long distances,” she said. “I kind of thought this would be the next step.”

With a busy schedule, four-time half marathoner Rayne said the training process varies but that her main focus is on increasing the distance of each run.

“I’m a pretty busy person and don’t have much time to run, so basically every week I increase my mileage until around I reach like 12 miles,” she said.

The sisters knew they wouldn’t be side by side throughout the entire race, but Jordan said she feels a sense of encouragement knowing she’ll see her younger sisters at the finish line.

“What I’ve had in the back of my mind, and something that’s gonna inspire me, is knowing that they’ll be at the finish line waiting for me,” she said. “I know they’ll finish before me, which is fine, but that is definitely going to be an exciting part for me is seeing them at the end.”

Jordan Elling said she enjoyed getting to share the experience with all of the runners as a whole, not just her younger sisters.

“I really like the energy and how friendly everyone has been so far,” she said. “It’s a beautiful day too, so I think it has been a great experience already.”

Rayne Elling said what keeps her coming back is the feeling of pride after crossing the finish line.

“The accomplishment of being able to say I’ve ran 13.1 miles has taught me strength, resiliency and that I’m able to do hard things,” she said.