Preparations are well under way for the 29th annual Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Run and Walk to be held Saturday, May 28, in Wheeling.

Saturday's schedule, in addition to the 20K Run and Walk, also includes the Ogden Newspapers 5K Run and Walk. Starting times are 7:30 a.m. for the 20K Walk, while the 20K runners will leave the start-finish line at WesBanco Arena at 8 a.m. The 5k Run and Walk starts at 8:15 a.m. 

On Friday, the Ogden Tiny Tot Trot, sponsored by Ohio Valley Parent Magazine, opens a fun-filled evening at 6:45 p.m. Youngsters, ages 5 and under, are invited to take part in a dash to the finish line over the last 100 yards of the 20K course.

At 7 p.m., the Fun Run begins at the top of Wheeling Hill and covers the final mile of the 20K layout. This non-competitive event is for kids 12 and under. No prizes are awarded, but the $5 entry fee includes a race T-shirt. Parents are encouraged to run with their children at no cost, or pay $5 and also receive a T-shirt.

The highlight of the evening for the runners is the annual Ogden Mile, which starts at 7:15 p.m. at the top of Wheeling Hill and concludes adjacent to WesBanco Arena. This course, which is completely downhill, is regarded as the fastest mile layout in America. The course record of 3:39:82 was established in 2003.

The top three male and female runners in the Ogden Mile will receive cash awards of $200 for first, $150 for second and $100 for third place. Trophies will be provided to the top two men and women competitors in the Masters category.

A new event has been added to the format this year. Race Director Howard Corcoran announced that a 5K Team Cup will now be a part of Saturday's schedule. Each team will be represented by five runners, of which at least one must be a female.

The times of the participants will be added up to determine the race champions. Monetary prizes will be presented to the top three teams.

"We believe the 5K Team Cup will help us build up the numbers in the race," Corcoran explained. "The 20K is still the foundation for our whole weekend and what we are all about. But in order to meet the needs of the runners, we are continuing to add other races and events."

Corcoran, beginning his second year as the director for The Ogden Classic, also was pleased to report that Wheeling Hospital has joined the list of major sponsors.

Along with the race's primary sponsor, The Ogden Newspapers, the list of major supporters includes Mason Rehab Center, Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center and United Bank.

Beginning Feb. 6, Wheeling Hospital will sponsor a series of weekly training tips that will be published in the Sunday News-Register to help runners and walkers get ready for the race. A series of four to five clinics also has been planned. Bill Rodgers, winner of the inaugural Wheeling distance event in 1977, has committed to return to attend this year's race, and Corcoran is hoping to have him come in earlier for one of the clinics.

The race committee will continue to focus on staging more of a local and regional event, a focus that was adopted last year and proved popular among the participants.

"We were concerned about losing runners, but our numbers actually improved from the previous year's race," Corcoran pointed out.

Overall, the 2004 events attracted more than 1,300 participants, 629 of whom ran the 20K.

"We still had a handful of international runners that came in, and I expect that to continue," Corcoran said. "We are happy to have them if they choose to participate in our race."

The prize structure remains exactly the same as in 2004. The 20K Open Run will pay $2,000 to the first male and female crossing the finish line on Saturday morning. Second place is worth $1,500, and the third-place finishers receive $1,000. A total of eight places will be paid in this division with identical prizes awarded to the male and female winners.

In the 20K Open Walk, the top three walkers receive $350, $250 and $150 each in both divisions.

Cash awards of $75, $50 and $25 go to the top three 20K Run and Walk participants in the following age groups: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 & Over.

Age group awards of $40, $30 and $25 are to be awarded to the first three finishers in the 5K Run and Walk.

The top male and female run finishers from West Virginia and the city of Wheeling will receive awards sponsored by Legg, Mason, Wood, Walker Inc.

Prizes will be presented at the annual post-race banquet, which begins at noon Saturday, May 28, at WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling.

Other highlights of the race weekend will include the selection of the second group of runners to enter the Ogden 20K Classic Run and Walk Hall of Fame. The inaugural class was inducted following the 2004 race. A committee is currently being formed to select the 2005 group of inductees.

Steps have been taken to provide an easier method for runners and walkers to enter the 2005 Classic. Attractive entry blanks have been printed, and the applications are expected to be available in early February.

Also being updated is the race Web site, www.ogden20k.com.

Runners and walkers can register online by visiting that site or at www.active.com, which is one of the leading online race registration sites in the country, according to Corcoran.

By having both sites available to runners throughout the United States and the local area, Corcoran again believes this will help increase the number of participants in 2005 and in future years.

Also, applications will soon be available at most sporting goods stores in the area, at the Wheeling and Chambers YMCAs and at The Ogden Newspapers Inc., Wheeling Hospital, Mason Rehab Center, Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center and United Bank.

Corcoran believes that past history is one of the biggest reasons for the popularity of the Ogden Classic. Hugh Stobbs, who served as race director for its first 27 years, can't receive enough credit for his role assuring the longevity of the event, Corcoran said.

"Hugh built a great race, and we are just trying to build upon what he did," Corcoran noted. "It's not only a great weekend for the runners and walkers but also for the City of Wheeling, which backs us 100 percent."