Participation from industry, business and education will be spotlighted in the Ogden Newspapers 5K Team Cup to be introduced as part of the 29th annual Ogden 20K Classic Run and Walk festivities on Saturday, May 28, in Wheeling.

Team Cup competition takes place during the 5K Run and Walk, which begins at 8:15 a.m. in a race over a flat and fast scenic course.
For the first two miles, the 5K competitors travel the 20K layout. After that the runners and walkers in the shorter event take a turn to the right on 33rd Street just past Green's Doughnuts and head toward the Ohio River.

Once on the Wheeling Heritage Trail, the field heads back toward downtown Wheeling. Near the Main Street Bank, the course takes a loop toward Chapline Street and continues along that route until turning left and heading back down 14th Street to the finish line adjacent to WesBanco Arena.

Last year's 5K had 316 run and walk finishers. Race Director Howard Corcoran expects that number to rise significantly this May.
ÒWe are confident that the 5K Team Cup will help us to build up the numbers in the race," Corcoran said. "This is a new event and I believe it is a great way for many first-time entrants to participate in one of the top run/walk weekends in the country.

"It is an event where a company or a group of friends can come together and have a great time," Corcoran added.

Each team will be made up of five individuals, at least one of whom must be a female. All five times will be added together to determine the overall time of the team. The team with the lowest aggregate time will be the winner.

Three cash prizes have been added for this event. The winning overall team earns $500, with the second team collecting $100 and third place receiving $75.

Plaques also are to be provided for the five members of each division-winning team.

The seven divisions of competition include: Education, Service, Business, Industry, High School, College, and Friends and Family.

There can be more than one team from a group in any division. Ohio County Schools, for example, is expected to enter several teams in the Education Division. High School cross-country teams are encouraged to enter the event.

Each participant receives an Ogden 5K Team Cup T-shirt. The cost per team is $75 ($15 per runner). Each team member must register as a team and also as an individual. Registration can be done online at www.ogden20k.com or www.ogden20kclassic.com.

The awards presentation is scheduled at 10:15 a.m. outside the main entrance to WesBanco Arena. Each participant also receives a water bottle, an Ogden COOL towel and free pizza and Pepsi.

Race weekend festivities begin on Friday, May 27, with the Tiny Tot Trot sponsored by Ohio Valley Parent Magazine, slated at 6:45 p.m., the Fun Run at 7 and the Ogden Mile at 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, the Ogden Classic 20K Walk participants leave the start/finish line adjacent to WesBanco Arena at 7:30 a.m., while the 20K runners begin their trek over one of the nation's most challenging courses at 8 a.m. Participants in the 5K Run and Walk, along with the Team Cup entrants, will be sent off at 8:15 a.m.