WHEELING — Summer will be unofficially ushered in today when activities surrounding the 32nd annual Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Run and Walk step off at various locations throughout the city.

The fun begins at 4 p.m. today, when the Torch Relay begins at the Osiris Shrine parking lot in Elm Grove.

This is the second year for the relay, which pays homage to veterans representing all branches and eras of military service. All veterans and their families are invited to participate in the event, which will cover the final six miles of the 20K course along National Road.

Four local veterans will represent their eras during the relay — Gunnery Sgt. Dale Sigler (World War II), Tech Sgt. Jim Koonce (Korean War), Cmdr. Robert Kota (Vietnam War) and Lt. Col. Paul Hicks (Gulf War).

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is also slated to participate. Manchin will lead the procession into the downtown, where the event will conclude at the start/finish line near the corner of 14th and Main streets.

Once there, a number of patriotic moments will occur, such as the singing of the national anthem and, for the first time, the arrival of a Black Hawk helicopter, manned with pilots from the 150th Aviation Battalion Air National Guard, which is stationed at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport.

The helicopter will fly over the festivities and then land at Wheeling’s Heritage Port for a static display, which will give the public a chance for an up-close look at the helicopter and an opportunity to meet the pilots, crew chiefs and a recruiter.

The Ogden Tiny Tot Trot will step off at 6:45 p.m. under the WesBanco skywalk over 14th Street. At 7 p.m., 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. The main event — the 20K Run — gets under way at 8 a.m., with the 5K Run and Walk starting at 8:15 a.m.

The 20K events will return to their “original course” after spending the past three years on alternate routes due to construction.

Those interested in the race who aren’t able to make it downtown to see the finish can watch it live via the Internet. On Saturday, viewers can log on to www.theintelligencer.net and click on the Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Finish Line banner located midway down the page. This will direct them to a Web page with a streaming video player where the finish line will be broadcast.

The video will be active at 8:25 a.m. Saturday, which will cover not only the finish of the main 20K race, but also the finish of the Ogden 5K Run and Walk.

Also new to this year’s 20K event is the addition of a 20K relay. There will be three categories — male/male, female/female, and male/female.

Cash awards have also been established for top male and female American, top male and female West Virginian, and top male and female Ohio Valley runners.

Heritage Port will be alive with activity following all of the races.

Starting at 9 a.m., there will be plenty of food and music on the waterfront. This will provide the backdrop for the presentation of the 5K awards at 9:30 a.m. and the presentation of the the remaining awards at noon.

FRIDAY
4 p.m. — Olympic-style Torch Relay led by Gov. Joe Manchin
6:15 p.m. — The Black Hawk helicopter flyover and landing on the Heritage Port stage;
6:45 p.m. — The Tiny Tot Trot
7 p.m. — The Ogden Fun Run
7:15 p.m — The Ogden/Masters Mile

SATURDAY
6 a.m.-race time — Late registration
7:30 a.m. — The Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Walk
8 a.m. — The Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Run
8:15 a.m. — The Ogden Newspapers 5K Run and Walk
9 a.m. to noon — The “Easy Street” concert at Heritage Port
9:30 a.m. — 5K Awards Ceremony at Heritage Port stage
11:30 a.m. — 20K luncheon at the Heritage Port stage
Noon-1 p.m. — 20K Awards Ceremony at Heritage Port stage