Concerns for the safety of the runners and walkers due to ongoing construction along National Road resulted in a decision to alter the course for the 29th annual The Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic on Saturday, May 28, in Wheeling.

The decision was announced following discussions among officials from the race committee, city Operations Assistant Superintendent Tim Burch, Lt. Randy Rejonis and Sgt. Tom Mitchell of the Wheeling Police Department, Dave Petrini of the Savage Construction Co. and West Virginia Division of Highways representatives Bob Whipp, Kirt Donley and Paul Hicks. Representing the Ogden 20K Classic committee were race director Howard V. Corcoran Jr.; co-race director Bob Scatterday; Mark Courtney of Runner's High Course Certification; and Mark Ridgely of The Ogden Newspapers.

"The decision to change the race course is necessary because of the large construction area from the top of Chicken Neck Hill through the Perkins Restaurant area," Corcoran said. Among the reasons he cited were the narrowing of the road in this area due to construction work, the need to keep a steady flow of automobile traffic in both directions and even more safety concerns about cars backing up on the Interstate 70 ramps.

Since this also is one of the heavier populated areas for race spectators, worries about their safety were considered.

"That section, Chicken Neck Hill to Perkins Restaurant, is just not conducive to holding a race and providing for the safety of the runners and fans," Petrini said. "The race committee did the right thing."

Whipp concurred with Petrini's comments. "That area is just not ready for a road race and won't be for some time."

Corcoran did say that the start and finish lines, located adjacent to WesBanco Arena, will remain the same as will the first two miles of the course for the 20K Classic.

The changes begin at 33rd Street. Instead of taking the loop at that point, the runners and walkers will head to 39th and Chapline, turn left to Wood Street, take another left to 33rd, turn left to Eoff Street and take a right on Eoff to 29th Street. At this point, the competitors will begin their usual ascent and descent along 29th Street Hill.

At the bottom of the hill, the course goes past Bridge Street Middle School, then swings left over the bridge onto National Road.

Then, when the runners and walkers reach the Junior Avenue bridge, they turn left again, cross the bridge to Lava Avenue, taking a right there and traveling on that road until passing the site of one of the event's major sponsors, Mason Rehab Center. The course swings right onto the city's Heritage Trail and continues to the exit at 14th and McColloch streets in East Wheeling. The runners and walkers then travel down 14th Street until reaching the finish line.

Markers will be placed along the new areas of the course. Scatterday, also in charge of the aid stations, will have several markers located along the Heritage Trail.

Corcoran emphasized that the racing layout has been verified at 20 kilometers through the use of a calibrated measuring device supplied by the Division of Highways. Courtney, owner of Runners High, will certify the course as well. He has been the official timer for the Ogden 20K for more than 10 years.

"Quite a few of the hills have been eliminated since the 20K participants won't have to navigate the hills at Springdale, Wheeling Park, Chicken Neck and Wheeling Hill," Corcoran said.

It's likely that the event will result in the fastest time ever but won't count as a course record.

Race officials are hopeful that the usual 20K strip will be back in use in time for the 2006 race.

Participants in the 5K events, including the new Ogden Team 5K race, won't experience any changes on their course.

The race schedule will remain the same on Saturday, May 28. The 20K Walk starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 20K run at 8 a.m. The 5K competitors leave the start-finish line at 8:15 a.m.

Along with The Ogden Newspapers and Mason Rehab Center, other major sponsors are Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center, United Bank and Wheeling Hospital.

A new Ogden 20K Classic course map will be posted in the coming weeks at the race Web site at: www.ogden20k.com.