Runners and walkers of all sizes and ages are set to take part in this weekend’s festivities and events that are highlighted by the 29th running of The Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic on Saturday morning in downtown Wheeling.

‘‘It’s definitely a destination weekend for the city,’’ stated Howard Corcoran, race director of the Ogden Classic. ‘‘We are expecting our numbers to go up again from last year when more than 1,3000 runners and walkers took part in the seven events held over two days,’’ he added.

At presstime for this edition, runners and walkers from a total of 20 states and Canada had signed up. The states included: Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, Rhode Island, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

‘‘In 2004 we changed our philosophy and went from an international race to a strong local and regional event. This seems to be working out very well,’’ Corcoran said. ‘‘Even though we no longer pay foreign runners to come in and compete, many continue to make the trip to Wheeling to try and win what is still an attractive prize fund,’’ he added.

Heading the contingent of foreign runners will be the 2004 Ogden 20K Classic champion Julius Kibet, from Kenya.

The international road racing standout called Corcoran 10 days before this year’s classic and said he would be on hand to try and defend his title.

Kibet outkicked fellow Kenyan Joseah Matui coming down the stretch off Wheeling Hill to win by about 40 yards in the respectable time of 1:02:13, less than two minutes off the course record of 1:00:17, set by Dominic Ceron in 1990.

While the female champion from last year, Naomi Wangui, also of Kenya had yet to enter as of last weekend, the second-place finisher, American Kim Saddic, also joined the field last week. Saddic, a former George Mason University runner, finished well back of Wangui’s winning time of 1:16 flat. The 34-year-old Saddic was clocked in 1:24:31.

Identical cash awards are provided in both the Men and Women’s Open Divisions. First place is worth $2,000, while the runners-up earn $1,500 and third place finishers earn $1,000 each. Other cash awards to the Open competitors include: fourth place: $500; fifth through eighth place: $125 each. In the 20K Open Walk, the top male and female finisher earns $350 each, with $250 going for second and $150 for third place.

The race weekend begins Friday night in the area adjacent to WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling, which also will be the start-finish line for all events.

Beginning the festivities on Friday evening will be the annual Ogden Tiny Tot Trot, sponsored by Ohio Valley Parent Magazine.

This exciting dash is held over the final 100 yards of the Ogden 20K course. Youngsters, ages five and under, compete free of change and each participant receives a finish award ribbon.

At 7 p.m, the Ogden Fun Run begins from the top of Wheeling Hill. This is a non-competitive run for kids 12-and under. No prizes are awarded. Each participant pays a $5 entry fee and receives a T-shirt. Parents are encouraged to run with their children at no cost or pay the $5 entry fee and also receive a T-shirt.

The exciting Ogden Mile, along with the Masters Mile, takes place at 7:15 p.m., also starting at the top of Wheeling Hill. The runners travel the final mile of the normal 20K course, making the all-downhill racing strip among the fastest in America. Entrants must be ages 13-and over. Participants receive a T-shirt. The Ogden Mile’s top three finishers earn $200 for first place, $150 for second and $100 for third-place. Trophies will be presented in the Masters (40-and over) category to the top two male and female runners.

Race times on Saturday include: 20K Walk, 7:30 a.m.; 20K Run, 8 a.m.; 5K Run and Walk, 8:15 a.m.

Among the new additions to this year’s race is the establishment of Team Cup competition for the 5K event. Each team will be made up of five individuals, at least one of whom must be a female. All five times are added together to determine each team’s overall time. The team with the lowest aggregate time will be the winner.

Three cash prizes have been added for this event. The first-place team earns $150 with the second team collecting $100 and third place receiving $75. Plaques also will be given 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.

Each participant also receives an Ogden 5K Team Cup T-Shirt.

The 20K Run and Walk will be run partially over a new course this year because of ongoing road construction on National Road in the Woodsdale area.

The changes mean that runners and walkers will bypass two of the course’s more difficult obstacles, Wheeling Hill and Chicken Neck Hill. For this year only, the race will utilize a section of the Wheeling Heritage Trail.

To assure a 20K race, however, some the changes also will take place early along the course. Instead of making the loop at 33rd Street in South Wheeling, the runners and walkers will head to 39th and Chapline Streets, turn left to Wood Street, take another left to 33rd, turn left to Eoff Street and take a right on Eoff to 29th Street. At this point, the field begins its usual ascent and descent along 29th Street Hill.

At the bottom of the hill, the course goes past Bridge Street Middle School, then swings left over the hump bridge onto National Road. Then, when they reach the Junior Avenue Bridge, the runners and walkers turn left, cross the bridge to Lava Avenue, taking a right there and traveling on that road until passing the site of one of the event’s major sponsors, the Mason Rehab Center.

The course then swings right onto the city’s Heritage Trail and continues to the exit at 14th and McColloch in East Wheeling. Then runners and walkers then travel down 14th Street until reaching the finish line.

All participants in the 20K Run and Walk are invited to attempt the Awards Banquet beginning at noon at WesBanco Arena.

During the banquet, induction ceremonies will be held for the latest group of honorees entering the Ogden 20K Classic Hall of Fame. Included are the late Dr. Lee Jones; Leo Miller, who is also deceased; Wayne Barte, Tom Fleming, Susan Mortakis, Marti Stephan; Frank Monteleone, the Rev. Bob Cole, Ike Calissie and Herb Baker.

The City of Wheeling also is to have a Hall of Fame plaque at WesBanco Arena to honor its contributions to the distance race since its inception in 1977. ‘‘Without the cooperation and the support of the City of Wheeling since the very start, there would be no Ogden 20K Classic,’’ Corcoran said.