WHEELING — As fun as the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan is for participants to run, event organizers say it’s just as fun to put together.

New wrinkles will join old reliable obstacles once again this year when the event — the marquee happening on the second day of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine — kicks off at noon Sunday, May 26.

Event director Eric Anderson, the publisher of the Tyler Star-News, Wetzel Chronicle and Green Tab, said registrations for the event are ahead of last year. That, he said, speaks to how unique of an event the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan is.

“It incorporates landmarks in the city,” he said. “It challenges people both in their strength and conditioning. It’s a unique blend of different exercises, different movements. It tests people, and they have fun doing it.”

Part of the excitement each year for the event is the aspect of the unknown, Anderson said, not only from station to station, but from year to year. Last year, participants were able to run through the halls of the old Ohio Valley Medical Center. That site wasn’t available this year — it’s currently being torn down to make way for a new WVU Medicine regional cancer center — but other new obstacles are in store.

Among them is the “Slip N Slide” sponsored by Dean’s Water Services. There, a slip-and-slide track will be set up at one of the upper levels of the Robert C. Byrd Intermodal Center at the bottom of Main Street. Other new events include the “Fire Hose Carry” sponsored by the City of Wheeling, “Conquer the Cones” sponsored by Carl Walker Construction, “Monkey Bar” sponsored by the West Virginia Northern Community College welding program, the “Bridge Walk” sponsored by ICR and the “Sandbag Carry” sponsored by Grow OV.

“It allows people to go outside their comfort levels and conquer fears, whether it’s climbing, heights or water,” Anderson said of the surprises that are always part of the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan. “It allows people to push themselves beyond what they often think was capable.”

Returning obstacles, and their sponsors, are “Stairway to Heaven” (Braunlich Orthopedics), “Lumber Jump” (Wheeling Country Club), “Fish Net” (City Net), “Rope Climb” (Liberty Distributors), “Wall Climb” (WTRF 7), “Corporate Ladder” (ThrIVe Wheeling), “Worm Crawl” (U.S. Air Force), “Pizza Slice” (Wheeling Nailers/RED), “Step Up” (The Health Plan), “Meat Grinder” (Miklas Meat Market), “Industrial Maze” (Engineered Foundation Solutions), “Alley Hurdle” (Ashley Furniture), “Fort Henry Wall Climb” (Bridgeport Equipment) and “Slot Machines” (Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack).

Early registration is suggested and there will be no on-site registration on the day of the event.

Heats go out every 15 minutes beginning at noon and ending at 2 p.m. with 175 people in each heat. Limited time slots are available. Participants will pick their run time at registration. Those who want to run with friends are recommended to register early and together.

There are no prizes for winners, just bragging rights. Those ages 16 and older who are interested are eligible to register.

“The Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan has grown into one of the marquee events of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine,” said Perry Nardo, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register. “It is rare that participants get the opportunity to test themselves on obstacles that challenge them physically and also celebrate the history of our city. We can’t wait for everyone to see what new challenges lie ahead for them this year and to experience some of the obstacles they’ve grown to enjoy.”

The weekend itself kicks off Saturday, May 25, with the 46th running of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic. The Half Marathon Run is scheduled for a 7:15 a.m. start, with the Half Marathon Walk following at 7:30 a.m. The weekend’s 5K Run presented by WVU Medicine Children’s will start at 7:45 a.m. May 25, with the 5K Walk, also presented by WVU Medicine Childrens’ starting at 7:50 a.m. For the youngsters, there will be a Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. May 25 and a Tiny Tot Trot at 10:30 a.m., both presented by WVU Medicine Children’s.

The Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan isn’t the only big event on Sunday. The Wheeling Heritage Trail Bike Tour will begin that morning, offering cyclists trails of 100 km, 50 km and 15 km to ride. The 100 km ride begins at 7 a.m., with the 50 km ride following at 8 a.m. and the 15 km ride going at 9 a.m.