It’s that time of year again — the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend is merely one week away.

At first glance, many folks might not think the weekend activities and events are for them. I can understand that, since I haven’t been a runner on a regular basis since I was in college. In fact, I haven’t even made time to walk regularly for exercise in more than a year.

So, I can see how the thouhght of running a half marathon or walking a 5K would be intimidating to many. But I assure you there is so much more than that to our Wellness Weekend.

My role in the events has to do with our smallest participants. I am the coordinator for the Tiny Tot Trot, which is sponsored by WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital this year.

We used to run the Tot Trot on 14th Street in Downtown Wheeling. Then it was moved to Water Street. Now, for the second year in a row, it will be held at Heritage Port, making use of the broad sidewalks and grassy lawn areas there to keep the kiddos safer from the city’s traffic and less distracted by other events that take place at the same time.

I am excited that we will have all sorts of fun and games available for the children and their families. I have a great group of volunteers who will be helping the youngsters to enjoy playing with lawn toys, blowing bubbles, runnning, jumping, romping and generally having a great time outdoors.

I also am happy to report that Jennifer Mull Staley will be back, entertaining the kids with face painting or balloon twisting and spiffing up our area with some beautiful columns of balloons in a race-themed design.

New this year will be a lesson on healthy lifestyles and chance for our littel runners to wamr up before the non-competitive races. Jill Spangler, director of Clinical Nutrition for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and WVU Reynolds Memorial Hospital, will lead them in stretching and warm-up exercises prior to each heat of the Tiny Tot Trot. This will help ensure that they are ready to run and begin to teach them the basics of a healthy lifestyle that includes proper preparation for vigorous exercise.

These activities will take place on the brick plaza around the flag pole at Heritage Port. Then the children will run in two heats — one for 4- and 5-year-olds and then one for those age 3 and under.

The Tot Trot steps off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25. It is preceeded by the 1-mile Fun Run for kids 12 and under.

The weekend includes live music, a DJ spinning tunes, food trucks and bar areas for those who need to quench their thirst.

It’s an all-around good time, whether you come for the foot races on May 25 or for the Tough as Nails Urban Challenge on Sunday, May 26. That event is filled with all sorts of challenging obstacles the racers must overcome, including some new surprises this year.

So, if you are looking for a fun, and entertaining way to spend your weekend, bring the entire family down to Wheeling and join us. You might just be amazed — or amused — at some of the things you will see, even if you don’t take part in one of our events.

I hope to see you there!