WHEELING – The Lois Stobbs Memorial Veterans Day 10K Run & Walk is set for Saturday, Nov. 4, boasting a special feature.

The eighth annual event is dedicated to honoring local fallen heroes. Money received over and above race expenses is donated to the West Virginia Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America.

This year’s race welcomes back a running legend to the Friendly City.

Patti Catalano Dillon is regarded as one of the greatest distance runners in U.S. history. She is also a familiar face in Wheeling as she won the Elby’s Big Boy Distance Race in 1980 and 1981.

Hugh Stobbs is the director for the Veterans Day race. He served in the same capacity for the Big Boy 20K.

In 1981, Catalano Dillon posted a world-record clocking of 1:08.36 in the 20K race on the demanding Wheeling layout. A year later, she bested legendary Joan Benoit to repeat as queenpin.

“I’m looking so forward to participating in a race that Hugh is putting on. He has a big heart and is a wonderful organizer and thinks of good things for all runners. He makes everybody feel like family. So he must have 1,000 first cousins,” Catalano Dillon said. “I will run in the race and do my best. I’m for health and fitness.

“After raising a family I am looking forward to the next chapter,” she continued. “I’m thrilled to bits for race directors like Hugh to invite me back to take part in the festivities.”

Although it’s been three-plus decades since Catalano Dillon pounded the pavement in championship fashion in Wheeling, she has vivid recall of her Friendly City experiences.

“I have such warm memories of Wheeling, especially the people. Friendliness doesn’t begin to describe the city,” Catalano Dillon said. “My first time in Wheeling was for the 20K. I heard quite a bit about the race from Bill Rodgers. The race lived up to everything he said and then some.

“The huge crowds at the finish. The course, the toughest in the country. The competition not to be sneezed at…all in one race for one day. Yes, so I ran my heart out,” she offered. “I thank Hugh for putting on such a fine race and to have a race for our veterans. I look forward to running with the service people who defended our country and our personal freedoms. Praise God for them.”

Catalano Dillon has held American road records in the marathon, half-marathon, 30 kilometers, 15 kilometers, 10 miles and 5 mile (now 8 kilometers). She was inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in 2006.

The Massachusetts native won five of the first six runnings of the Ocean State Marathon and four consecutive titles in the Honolulu Marathon. She was runnerup in the New York Marathon in 1980 and finished second in the Boston Marathon in 1981.

Her husband, Danny, is a tremendous runner in his own right, having made the World XC USA team eight times. His family hails from Summerville, W Va.

“Patti and Bill Rodgers were the two most popular runners to come to Wheeling,” Stobbs said. “She and her husband stayed with us for a while to train on the hills. We have been friends ever since 1980. Bill Rodgers recommended we bring Patti in. We are all pretty close.

“The Elby’s Big Boy race attracted world class runners from 69 countries. There were 789 finishers the first year of the race of which only 33 were women,” he noted. “They all commented on how friendly everyone was in Wheeling. Patti did a lot to make the race the great event it became.”

RACE BITS

∫ All military personnel and veterans will have their entry fee waived.

∫ Military personnel and veterans will receive red, white and blue race numbers to distinguish them from the other participants, a free banquet entry/meal and t-shirt.

∫ All local reserve units have been contacted and have offered their full support and participation.

∫ The banquet at WesBanco Arena starts at 11 a.m. Additional banquet tickets can be purchased at the registration table at Bridge Street School and on race day at WesBanco Arena ticket office.

∫ Plaques are awarded for both run and walk for men’s overall: first, second and third; women’s overall: first, second and third; men’s masters: first and second, women’s masters: first and second.

∫ The USAT&F certified course begins at Bridge Street Middle School at 8:30 a.m. and will follow U.S. 40 west to finish line at WesBanco Arena. Aid stations and medical aid available.

* After the finish, bus transportation will be provided back to the start.

* Major sponsors for the Veterans 10K are Progressive Bank, Valley Hospice, the City of Wheeling and the Ohio County commissioners.

BUBBA’S BITS

PLANS ARE progressing nicely for the second annual Skip Prosser Classic, according to John Stanko, one of the event’s directors. The game – pitting Wheeling Central against Linsly – will be staged Jan. 26 on the Cadets’ hardwood. The classic generates scholarships at both schools. Anyone wishing to donate in advance should contact Terry Depew at Linsly or Lee Ann Harris at Wheeling Central.

DON’T BE surprised if this is Jim Harbaugh’s final year in Ann Arbor. The Indy Colts will need a new coach next season and the Michigan boss is their top choice.

TRYOUTS FOR Dave Wojcik’s newly created AAU basketball program will held held Sunday, Oct. 1 at Linsly School. The program will feature teams from 9U through 17U for boys and 14U through 17U for girls. Wojcik noted that even if prospective players are unable to participate on Oct. 1 because of obligations to other sports or for any other reason that they should still come if they are interested for informational purposes. Tryout times are:

* 9u-11u group from 9-10:30 a.m.

* 12u & 13u group from 11-12:30 p.m.

* 14u & 15u (boys & girls) 1-2:30 p.m.

* 16u & 17u (boys & girls) 3-4:30 p.m.

* Tryout fee of $20. The best way to secure a spot is by registering online at tmpwxplorers.com.

THE OHIO High School Athletic Association Board of Directors, by a 7-2 vote Thursday, denied a proposal from the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association to extend the season two weeks due to the new NFHS-mandated pitch count regulations. The board did unanimously approve a proposal to add two qualifiers to the state track meet in the running events only. Ohio State?s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, where the state meet is held, has a nine-lane track.

CONGRATS TO former St. Clairsville High star and current West Liberty hoop standout Dan Monteroso for being tabbed a first-team NCAA Division II Preseason All-American by Street & Smith. The 2017 Mountain East Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year deserves every accolade that comes his was as he combines his immense talent with enormous amounts of character and dedication.