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Rejonis, course safety director for the 30th annual 20K Classic, and Johnston, the event’s emergency director, said their general procedures for handling the race — scheduled for Saturday, May 27 — have remained “basically the same” over the years. Changes in course and equipment have been smoothly integrated into the planning, they say.
“Local people know to change their route or their schedule on race day,” Rejonis said.
Police, he noted, provide reminders to the public of street closings and areas where parking is being restricted for visitors, newcomers and the general public.
Rejonis noted this will be the second year for the new race course, which follows the city’s Heritage Trail from Elm Grove to East Wheeling, bypassing the Woodsdale section of Wheeling as well as Wheeling Hill.
Today, for the Tiny Tot Trot, Ogden Fun Run and Ogden Mile, parking will be prohibited on Chapline Street from 12th to 14th streets and on 14th Street from Chapline to Water streets.
Parking meters will be bagged beginning at noon today with vehicles expected to be removed by 5:30-6 p.m., Rejonis said. Those not removed by their drivers will be towed.
For the 20K Classic, parking will be restricted beginning at about 7 a.m. Saturday, Rejonis said. According to a city memorandum, those areas where parking is prohibited are:
* Market Street — from 11th to 14th streets.
* Main Street — from 10th to 14th streets.
* Chapline Street — both sides in the 3500 block.
* National Road — the eastbound parking lane in the Elm Grove business district .
* 14th Street — both sides from McColloch to Wood streets and from Chapline to Water streets.
* Water Street — both sides from 12th to 14th streets.
Areas that will be closed to traffic are:
* Main and Market streets in the central business district beginning about five minutes before the race begins until the runners pass.
* Chapline Street at 15th Street to turn all traffic east onto Eoff Street.
* 16th Street at the intersection of Chapline Street to prohibit westbound traffic to travel onto Market Street.
With officers posted throughout the race course, Rejonis said they will halt traffic as necessary to maintain runner safety.
Johnston said his department’s role involves offering emergency medical coverage for the runners during the distance race and related events. The fire department also aids in communications across the race course, he said.
“We also have the same community response,” Johnston said, noting the department continues to provide the same service Wheeling residents would expect at other times.
Several fire department units will be stationed at various locations in their districts along the race course. During the 5K race, two paramedics will be on specially equipped bicycles on the course, an area where a full-sized vehicle would not be able to maneuver, Johnston said.
For the 20K Classic, firefighters on all-terrain vehicles will be patrolling the course, he said. |
Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic