Race Director Howard Corcoran calls the members of the Ogden Ironmen Club – runners who have started and finished all 28 previous Ogden Newspapers 20K Classics – the backbone and foundation of this very special event.

‘‘It’s a fantastic feat and one of the reasons why we still do the race,’’ Corcoran said. ‘‘It gives you energy just being around them. Everybody talks about how tough the course is, but some of these guys run it once a week,’’ he added.

The Ogden Ironmen Club consists of 16 hardy men, many of whom entered the initial Wheeling distance race on a lark. They are still at it with no real thoughts of dropping out despite advancing age and the usual aches and pains long-time runners experience as the years go by.

‘‘If I questioned myself about why I still do it, I wouldn’t do it anymore,’’ said Frank Monteleone, a 53-year-old Wheeling native who now lives in Massillon, Ohio. It’s unlikely Monteleone will be giving up the Ogden 20K anytime soon.

He still enjoys the personal challenge involved in running every day. Talk about not taking the easy way out, last month saw Frank run and complete his 18th Boston Marathon.

Belmont resident Mitch Toto, like many of his fellow Ironmen, made his first race appearance in the inaugural Wheeling event in 1977. Toto has never stopped running since, having logged more than 50,000 miles of running and biking across the nation’s highways.

‘‘If I quit, I would probably fall apart (healthwise),’’ said Toto, who has been experiencing problems the last five years with what he called a recurring bacterial infection.

‘‘I’m going to keep running as long as I can,’’ Mitch said during a recent interview. Race Day, May 28, will present another memorable milestone for Toto.

‘‘That was the date of the first race in Wheeling and it was also my 40th birthday. I’ll be celebrating my 68th (birthdate) when I run in this year’s Ogden Classic.

Being a part of this exclusive group of runners has meant a lot to each and every Ogden Ironman. Over the years, they were able to develop a closeness and genuine affection for each other. They hug and wish each other luck at the start line and look for everyone at the finish, hoping each one was able to get through the challenging course to continue their streak.

This group also was responsible to expanding the number of their club by one last year when they went to Corcoran and asked that Wheeling resident Dave Fiorilli be taken in as an Ironman. Fiorilli missed one race but that was because he was called for duty in the U.S. Navy to serve during Desert Storm.

Fiorilli’s fellow runners expressed the opinion when someone is away serving his country in time of war, he shouldn’t have to miss out on this special honor.

While running in last year’s race, Fiorilli paid recognition to a servicewoman dear to his heart – Dave’s daughter Ashley. Fiorilli had a picture of her pinned to the 9/11 shirt he wore. At the time of the 2004 race, Ashley was serving with her Air Force group on a second tour of duty in the Middle East.

Completing the list of Ogden Ironmen Club members are Wheeling residents Larry Jones, Steve Habursky, Tim Cogan, Bruce Kirby, Paul Exley, Ted Rouse, John Holloway and Pat Cronin, along with the Rev. Robert ‘‘Bob’’ Cole of Lost Creek; Mike Lemaster, from Columbus; David Claypool of Zanesville; Joe Kubik of St. Clairsville, and Grant Marks of Glen Dale.

When Habursky was asked why he has kept his streak alive in the Ogden 20K Classic, the retired Wheeling Police Detective replied, ‘‘Why Not?

‘‘It’s better than staying home on a Saturday morning and washing cars,’’ he said.

Habursky, now 56 years old, used the Wheeling event as a springboard to getting involved with marathon racing. Among his marathon appearances have been in Boston, Pittsburgh and Columbus. In 1984, he set an age group record in the 35-39 division with a time of 2:30 flat in Columbus, finishing 19th overall in a field of more than 3,000 runners.

Kubik has managed to keep his string going despite some family conflicts. Several years ago, he was thankful that he could compete in the race and get home to see one of his children pick up his high school diploma as he graduated from St. Clairsville High School.

Another of his children will graduate on race day this year and Joe, once again, will be able to make to the ceremonies on time.

‘‘Family always comes first, though,’’ Joe pointed. ‘‘As much as I feel fortunate and honored to be part of the Ironmen, if it came down to running the race or being at graduation, I would have to miss the race,’’ he explained.

Most of the rest of the Ironmen Club members have strong family ties, and probably would make the same decision.

That’s what makes them a special group.

The oldest of the Ironmen runners is the Rev. Cole, now 70 years old and battling cancer. He underwent a series of chemotherapy treatments following last year’s race and said he was doing well during a recent trip to Wheeling to be in a photo with his fellow runners.

Youngest member of the field is Rouse, age 44, who was born two days after Lemasters. They are the only two members of the club under age 50.