Photo by Kim North Hilliard’s Andrew Taylor runs through the tape at the finish line of Saturday’s Ogden Newspapers 5K Classic in downtown Wheeling. Taylor won the race in 15-minutes, 42-seconds.

WHEELING — Andrew Taylor got delayed on his way to run in the 47th Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic on Saturday morning due to a traffic accident on I-70 in Eastern Ohio. However, everything turned out for the better.

The 25-year-old Butler University graduate arrived in the Friendly City after the Half Marathon had already begun to take runners on their journey through the streets, Taylor decided to join the 5K presented by WVU Medicine Children’s instead. What a smart decision that turned out to be.

The 25-year-old native of Hilliard, ran away from the field in winning with a time of 15 minutes, 42 seconds.

“I got here after the Half (Marathon) had already started, so I figured I may as well run some type of race since I travelled all the way here,” Taylor said. “I decided to run the 5K.”

He said he arrived approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the 5K.

“I was able to stretch a little and then go out and run,” he admitted.

“It was perfect weather,” Taylor said. “I’m happy with my time. It’s a pretty hilly course, so I’m pleased with what I ran. Knowing I didn’t have to run up the mountain was a big motivator.”

Taylor finished second in the Half Marathon in 2024.