WHEELING – Youth is being served with this year’s edition of the Lois Stobbs Memorial Veterans Day 10K Run & Walk.

The eighth annual event, set for Saturday Nov. 4, 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.

Youngsters ranging from all ages and from a host of different organizations are lending a helping hand to make for another successful race. All told, the popular event has attracted some 150 youth volunteers.

The Bridge Street Middle School band will help launch proceedings by performing the national anthem. The Park Patriots, a group designed to assists veterans, will be serving meals at the post-race banquet.

In addition, one 4-H troop will staff an aid station while a Girl Scout group will man the other.

Moreover, challenged youths from Wheeling Park are doing yeoman’s work. They sent out all the race mailings (more than 1,800) and will also fill the race packets with numbers, pin, chip and information.

“It is very refreshing to see all these young people step up and help with the event,” race director Hugh Stobbs said. “All their help is invaluable. I would struggle without them.

“The race has grown into a very special event for a great cause. All these young people have played a big part in its growth. We also have some 50 adult volunteers who are vital to ensure a quality race,” he added. “Speaking of young people, we even have a 1-year-old registered to compete in the race. She signed up with her dad who is 40.”

Ironically, while race volunteerism is saturated with youth, participation entrants are much longer in tooth.

“We have more people age 80 and over signed up then we do with 19 and younger. The average age so far is 48,” Stobbs said. “But registration is going well. We already have more than 200 signed up, well ahead of last year.”

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

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

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.

RACE BITS

∫ Some 30-40 veterans are assisting with the event, either as members of the race committee or volunteers.

∫ 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

JOANNA BERNABIE-McNamee is a Weirton Madonna athletic legend. She led the Blue Dons to the 1992 state basketball crown. The OVAC Hall of Famer tallied more than 1,000 prep points before starring at West Liberty. In commemoration of her stellar Blue Don career, Madonna officials have named the school’s gym floor in her honor. Bernabie-McNamee is now the head coach of the University of Albany’s women’s basketball team.

OHIO STATE has worked itself quite nicely up the polls after its beatdown against Oklahoma. The Buckeyes are sitting pretty at No. 6. with No. 2 Penn State coming to down Saturday.

WOLFHURST’S MIKE Coss recorded his second career hole-in-one last week. The four-year baseball starter at Notre Dame aced No. 10 at Oglebay’s Crispin course. He used a 6-iron on the 156-yard par 3. Witnessing the ace were Eric Petho and Colton Coss.

THE HOUSTON Astros have had a great season. It’s amazing, however, that Charlie Morton can be their No. 3 starter in the playoffs. He couldn’t cut the mustard with the Pirates.

PREP FOOTBALL season in the Ohio Valley does play out much too quickly. That is reflected as girls’ basketball practice officially commences in Ohio this Friday. West Virgina girl hoopsters start practice Nov. 6.

THE NFL is losing star power at a rapid pace. Aaron Rodgers joins J.J. Watt, Odell Beckham Jr., David Johnson and Eric Berry as premier players gone for the season due to injury. More will surely follow. That is the last thing the league needs as it continues to wrestle with the national anthem saga.

JOHN MARSHALL High product Kristin Lewicki is in her second week of practice with the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League. The Adrian College All-American reports that things are going well and she is looking for her pro debut on Oct. 28.