The new 2007 Ogden Classic race director Robert “Scat” Scatterday seated right with Perry Nardo, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register.

WHEELING — For just the third time in the 31-year history of The Ogden Newspapers 20K Run & Walk, the race will have a new director.

Perry Nardo, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, has announced the appointment of Wheeling resident Robert “Scat” Scatterday as director for the 2007 Ogden Classic, which unfolds the weekend of May 25-26 in the Friendly City.

Scatterday succeeds Howard V. Corcoran, who stepped down after directing West Virginia’s most prestigious road race for the last three years and enjoyed a 29-year association with the classic.

The race director for the first 27 years was Hugh Stobbs, one of the Wheeling Distance Race founders along with the Rev. Jay Fast and the late Dr. Lee Jones.

‘‘We appreciate everything that Howard Corcoran has done for the race over the past years and we wish him the best of luck,’’ Nardo said. ‘‘The Ogden Newspapers also are very grateful to have someone as knowledgeable as ‘Scat’ to step to the forefront and take over as director.

‘‘With his leadership, we can continue to move the race forward in a positive direction,’’ Nardo added.

Scatterday’s association with the Ogden 20K Classic goes back to the very first year in 1977 when he participated as a finish line volunteer.

The second year he was put in charge of a runners’ aid station in Elm Grove, an assignment he handled until Corcoran appointed him as one of the co-directors of operations.

‘‘I am humbled that somebody would think I possess the ability to become race director,’’ Scatterday said.

‘‘The Ogden Newspapers, city officials, the other race sponsors and a dedicated group of volunteers come together every year to make this a very successful event.’’

The newly assigned race director praised the contributions of his predecessors.

‘‘Hugh Stobbs, along with Jay Fast and Lee Jones, were the founding fathers of this race,’’ Scatterday said. ‘‘Howard then stepped up to the plate and continued to provide outstanding leadership to the race committee.’’

Under Corcoran’s tenure as race director, the Ogden Newspaper’s 20K Classic Hall of Fame was established along with the addition of a 5K Run & Walk.

Also during this period, ChampionChip Timing became a permanent part of the event and the prize money structure was adjusted to provide more rewards for age group runners and walkers.

Scatterday’s mission will continue to focus on the benefits the race brings to the city.

‘‘We have a high quality of life in Wheeling,’’ Scatterday said. ‘‘The Ogden Classic is an opportunity for us to show the good things in our community to the visitors who attend the race every year.’’

Scatterday is a 1960 graduate of Warwood High School. He earned a five-year aerospace/mechanical engineering degree from West Virginia University and became a commissioned officer in the Air Force.

After graduating from Air Force Tactical Pilot School, he flew 136 combat missions in Vietnam. He still holds the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Following active duty, Scatterday returned to the Ohio Valley and worked for Consolidation Coal and was an engineer at Wheeling Machine Products for eight years.

After that company shut down, Scatterday turned to teaching and has spent the past 25 years as a full-time engineering professor at Belmont Technical College.

Scatterday, a widower, has four children, including two stepchildren. His stepdaughter Ashley is a physician’s assistant and stepson Chad is a medical doctor.

Daughter Wendy works as a professional architect and his son Chuck is in charge of the ESPNU Network, which offers telecasts of collegiate sports events.

Although excited and looking forward to the 31st annual Ogden 20K Classic Run and Walk, Scatterday pointed out that the event is a year-round project for the race committee.

‘‘We started work on the 2007 race before the 2006 event was held,’’ he said.

The 2007 festivities begin Friday, May 27, in the area near WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling.

The schedule of events that evening include the Ogden Tiny Tot Trot, starting at 6:45 p.m. The Ogden Fun Run starts at 7 p.m. from the top of Wheeling Hill.

At 7:15 p.m., the highly competitive Ogden Mile begins. A Masters Mile competition also is held at the same time.

Saturday’s schedule begins with the 20K Walk at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 20K Run at 8 a.m. and the Ogden 5K Run & Walk at 8:15 a.m.

Awards presentations and the induction of the 2007 class into the Ogden 20K Classic Hall of Fame will take place during a post-race banquet, starting at 11:30 a.m. inside WesBanco Arena.

Application forms for this year’s events will be available soon but runners can register online now by visiting www.ogden20kclassic.com

Other main sponsors for the Ogden 20K Classic include Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center, United Bank, Wheeling Hospital, Dauphin Graphics Inc. and Jarvis, Downing & Emch.