WHEELING — The Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Run and Walk has unofficially helped usher in summer in the Ohio Valley since 1977.

And during the past 31 years, the Memorial Day weekend staple has grown by leaps and bounds. From the 5K races to the Olympic-style torch run that began last May, each year brings something new to the proceedings.

And 2008 will be no different, according to Robert “Scat” Scatterday, in his second year as race director.

“We are continuing to attempt to make this race a family-friendly event,” Scatterday said.

Scatterday and the rest of the race committee have picked up the pace in preparations for the 32nd annual road racing extravaganza, which will hit the streets of Wheeling on Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24.

While there are many new features this year, Scatterday, who has been associated with the event since its inception, is most excited about something old that is new again.

“The most significant change this year is the return to the ‘original’ race course,” he said.

First announced last June, the move will bring the race back into the neighborhoods and off of Wheeling’s Heritage Trail. The redesigned course was used for the past three years due to construction on National Road and in the Fulton area.

Scatterday also said there have been some minor changes made to the layout in the South Wheeling area. Julius Kibet and Naomi Wangui were the last man and woman to win 20K Open Division titles on the original layout.

When runners hit the streets this year, they will be competing for additional prize winnings in more categories.

“We have added what we hope is a very attractive feature for those in the 20K run,” Scatterday said. “Specifically, we have cash categories for the top male and female American, the top male and female West Virginian, and top male and female Ohio Valley runner.”

Ohio Valley runners, according to Scatterday, are those from Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler counties in West Virginia and Monroe, Belmont, Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson counties in Ohio.

Another new twist to the 20K run is the introduction of the 20K relay.

“There will be three categories — male/male, male/female and female/female,” Scatterday explained. “It is a 10K, which is longer than the 5K, obviously, but not as requiring as the 20K.”

Race weekend begins at 4 p.m. Friday, May 23, with the torch relay, which once again will cover the final 6 miles of the 20K course from Elm Grove to the start/finish line near the corner of 14th and Main streets.

“Participating in that event will be various personalities and tentatively West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin,” Scatterday said. “This takes place in tribute to the men and women who have served our country in the military.

“There will be more announcements regarding this in the near future; however, it will still embrace veterans and their families who are currently serving and those veterans and their families who served during the Gulf War period, the Vietnam period, the Korean War period and the World War II period.”

This will be the second running of the Torch Relay, which took place last year under sunny skies and concluded with the playing of “Taps” and the singing of the national anthem.

“This year we are having a surprise ending that will be an outstanding addition to the end of the relay, which will take place at about 6 p.m.,” Scatterday said.

Following the torch relay, the Ogden Tiny Tot Trot will step off at 6:45 p.m. under the WesBanco skywalk between Chapline and 14th streets.

At 7 p.m. May 23, the Ogden Fun Run will take place, followed at 7:15 p.m. by the Ogden Mile/Masters Mile.

Saturday’s activities begin with the 20K walk at 7:30 a.m. May 24.

The main event — the 20K run — gets under way at 8 a.m., with the 5K run and walk starting at 8:15 p.m.

The awards luncheon/awards ceremony/outdoor concert will again take place following the racing action on Saturday at Wheeling’s Heritage Port starting at 9 a.m. The 5K run and walk awards will be announced at about 9:30 a.m., with the remainder of the awards announced at noon.

“All of these events are an effort to involve the entire community,” Scatterday said.

For more information on all of the events, visit www.ogden20kclassic.com or call 304-233-0100, ext. 317, or 233-0100, ext. 253.