Entry forms are in the mail and registration is under way for the 29th annual Ogden 20K Classic Run and Walk to take place May 28 in downtown Wheeling.

Race director Howard Corcoran pointed out late last week that forms have been mailed to every runner and walker who participated in this event over the past three years.

Inside the application forms are information on all eight running and walking events to be staged over the two-day period, beginning Friday night, May 27. Dates, times and other key facts on the 20K Classic weekend also are included.

Corcoran says more than 12,000 entry forms will be mailed or distributed to potential runners and walkers.

Information on several events are also described in detail. This includes the 5K Team Cup. Seven divisions of competition will be held in the Team Cup, with the top three overall teams receiving cash awards.

Division winners also receive plaques. Each team is made up of five members with a minimum of one female per team. Seven divisions include Education, Service, Business Industry, High School, College and Friends and Family.

There is also a description of the Bring Your Buddy incentive programs. Runners and walkers who participated in the 2004 Ogden 20K Classic will receive a T-shirt by bringing a buddy who was not registered last year.

Also new is a incentive for runners and walkers to enter both the Ogden 20K Classic and the Parkersburg Half Marathon, sponsored by The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Individuals taking part in both races will receive a free T-shirt and have their names entered in a random drawing.

Registration for the Wheeling race can also be done online at www.ogden20k. com. Just click on the active.com icon at the upper left corner of the web site.

Those entering the event on line will receive a confirmation from active.com.

"This web site gives the Ogden 20K Classic world-wide exposure that would be impossible to obtain by any other media form," Corcoran said.

The new entry form also outlines the cash awards program which was revised in 2004 for all age group winners of the 20K Run, 20K Walk, 5K Run, 5K Walk and the 5K Team Cup.

This year's festivities begin May 27 with the Ogden Tiny Tot Trot, sponsored by Ohio Valley Parent Magazine, at 6:45 p.m.; the Ogden Fun Run at 7 p.m., and the Ogden Mile at 7:15 p.m.

Saturday's activities begin with the 20K Walk at 7:30 a.m., the 20K Run, 8 a.m., and the Ogden 5K Run and Walk, at 8:15 a.m.

Entry forms can be obtained in Wheeling at: Ogden Newspapers; Howard Long Wellness Center; Mason Rehab; Chambers YMCA; YWCA; YMCA (downtown); CenterTown Fitness; Wheeling Jesuit University; TJ's Sports Garden; Legg Mason, Wood, Walker, Inc.; Hole N Run; Shirts N More; Ohio Valley Awards; Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau; Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and Uncle Pete's.

Other sites include Cabela's at Dallas Pike; Times Leader Newspaper, Martins Ferry and Runners Connection in Bellaire.

Sponsors for this year's event along with the Ogden Newspapers are Mason Rehab Center; Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center; United Bank and Wheeling Hospital.