Photo by Joselyn King Martins Ferry native Shaun Jeter gets excited before running his first Tough As Nails Urban Challenge in Wheeling.

WHEELING – Shaun Jeter was excited for adventure as he prepared himself for his first Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan in Wheeling on Sunday.

“I was born in Wheeling, and grew up across the river in Martins Ferry,” he said. “I spent the first 18 years of my life there and have been hauling around Ohio ever since.

Jeter participated Sunday at the encouragement of his best friend, Shane Heitz of Tiltonsville.

“I like doing tough races,” Jeter said. “I’ve done tough mudders and obstacle courses in the past. Then I found out Wheeling has an obstacle course race, and I thought, ‘Why not? Let see how it goes.'”

He checked out the event on social media and its website and determined it “looked like fun.”

“I’m excited,” he said. “Mostly, I’ve run mud-type races.”

Jeter works nights at a warehouse in Zanesville.

“At work, I walk about 30,000 steps per day,” he continued. “That’s almost like a half-marathon over the course of a four-day week, so I already have that baseline fitness as far as cardio-wise.

“Other than that, I go to the gym. I think that will carry me into today’s race.”

As for nutrition, Jeter said he does take vitamin supplements, stretch, and get his full eight hours of sleep before taking the course.