WHEELING – Running and walking for those who cannot.

The sixth annual Lois Stobbs Memorial Veterans 10K unfolds Saturday, Nov. 7 on the streets of the Friendly City. Proceeds from the event are donated to the West Virginia Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Thus far, the Stobbs Memorial 10K has channeled $68,000 to the paralyzed veterans cause.

For all military personnel entering the 10K, everything is free, including registration, pre-race dinner, T-shirt and banquet, which immediately follows the race at WesBanco Arena and is catered by The Alpha.

“This is an event for a great cause,” said Race Director Hugh Stobbs. “It has provided a great deal of money for a special group of individuals. The race continues to grow in popularity.

“We had nearly 600 finishers a year ago. Of that number, 155 were veterans. Each year, our numbers grow by 75-90,” he added. “We also get more and more people out along the course. The volunteers have been great. I have the same committee members as I had when I started the Elby’s race back in 1977.”

The race begins at Bridge Street School in Elm Grove and travels the final 6.2. miles of the Ogden Classic course. Plaques are given to runners and walkers in men’s and women’s overall, as well as age groups. All finishers receive dog tags.

Featured guests this year include running legends Bill Rodgers and Ron Hill.

Stobbs credits the race’s inception to his late wife Lois.

“We were watching some boring NFL game one Sunday, and I was falling asleep in my chair. My wife said, ‘Why don’t you do something constructive … start another race in November and connect it with the veterans,”’ Stobbs recalled. “She took care of the brochures and made all the contacts, like she did for the Elby’s race. So the race was off and running.”

Entry fee for non-military personnel is $25 on or before Oct. 31. It bumps to $30 after that date. The race starts at 8:30 a.m.

Transit service is available to the start and finish lines with the last bus from 14th and Main streets to the starting line at 7:30 a.m. Shower facilities are available at CentreTown Fitness.

“We cannot put on such on quality event if not for our volunteers and sponsors,” Stobbs noted. The major sponsors include: Valley Hospice, the city of Wheeling, Ohio County commissioners, Ryan Ferns Healthplex, Ohio Valley Medical Center/East Ohio Regional Hospital and Progressive Bank.

BUBBA’S BITS

THIS COLUMN was penned prior to the Pirates-Cubs wild-card game at PNC Wednesday night. Regardless of the outcome, both teams got raw deals. They have the second- and third-best records in all of baseball, respectively, yet one was eliminated after a single playoff game. The winner is treated to no picnic, forced to play the Cardinals, owners of the best record in either league. Major League Baseball hierarchy needs to develop a seeding system like other professional leagues.

CARDALE JONES turned in another lackluster effort under center for Ohio State in the Buckeyes’ nail-biter at Indiana. The Bucks can continue to win with such QB play until Michigan State comes to Columbus in November. Even before Cardale’s inept performances, I was on the J.T. Barrett bandwagon. I would like to see Urban Meyer also hop on that wagon.

THIS IS a pivotal week for WVU football. No disgrace losing at Oklahoma. If the Mountaineers weren’t so generous with giving up the football, they had a chance to knock off the Sooners. With that being the case, WVU hosts another quality conference foe Saturday in Oklahoma State. For a successful season, teams must protect the home turf. A loss to the Cowboys would be disastrous as trips to Baylor and TCU loom.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com