Douglass Harrison, regional president of WVU Medicine, said the organization’s partnership with the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is a perfect one to promote the health system’s message of health and wellness throughout the Ohio Valley and beyond.

The partnership fits so well that WVU Medicine has further deepened it heading into this year’s event. The Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine returns May 24-25 to downtown Wheeling, offering opportunities for people – and pets – of all ages and fitness levels to get out and get moving.

Registration for all of the weekend’s events — the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic, the Tough as Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan, the 5K Run and 5K Walk, both presented by WVU Medicine Children’s, the Ogden Tiny Trot and the Ogden Fun Run, both presented by WVU Medicine Children’s, Rovers on the River presented by Play N Stay Pet Camp and the Wheeling Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour — is open now at ogdenwellnessweekend.com.

“We’re very honored to once again be asked to be a sponsor of this,” Harrison said. “It fits us.

“I’ve said this year after year, with our mission of health in the community, for us to have our name on it is one thing,” he continued. “But for us to be able to showcase our talent and our team members during this event, it really has become a huge community event that our team looks forward to.”

WVU Medicine will have its presence felt in many areas of the weekend. WVU Medicine staff will man the physical therapy tent so participants can keep themselves in top condition. The organization will be part of the awards ceremony.

Also, Dr. James Comerci will bring Wheeling Health Right’s van to downtown Wheeling, WVU Medicine Children’s will have a station for the 5K races and Jill Spangler, director of clinical dietetics at WVU Medicine Wheeling and Reynolds Memorial hospitals, will hold a stretching session before the kids’ races.

This year, WVU Medicine is helping participants get ready for the races before they begin.

A trio of videos, “Race Ready: Ogden Wellness Weekend and WVU Medicine’s Expert Guide” is available at ogdenwellnessweekend.com. The videos offer in-depth discussions about different components of race preparation.

Howard Long Wellness Center Director Joe Slavik walks Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic runners through a progressive training plan tailored to the challenging terrain and hilly course that has made the race so popular. In another video, Spangler explains how to strategically plan nutrition and hydration for peak race performance. In a third, Sports Medicine Specialist Daiva Mitchell shares essential tips on preventing injuries during training.

Harrison said what makes that guide special is that Wheeling people who work in Wheeling healthcare are helping athletes get ready for a quintessentially Wheeling event.

“We love the fact that we’re a West Virginia-based healthcare system,” Harrison said. “And if you look around the state, there are a lot of communities like Wheeling that depend on local healthcare and we pride ourselves in local healthcare and providing really good local healthcare in collaboration with our academic medical center.

“There’s a sense of pride for people who put on that WVU Medicine logo and work for us,” he continued. “They understand that they’re here for what I call the higher calling. When we do things like this in the community and people see that name and see our team members elbow to elbow with these folks and caring for them with care and with compassion, that goes a long way.”

Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend organizers are just as excited to continue the partnership with WVU Medicine. They agree the synergy between the two groups is second to none.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled that WVU Medicine has returned as the title sponsor of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend,” said Jim Spanner, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register. “Both WVU Medicine and Ogden Newspapers want to see a happy, healthy Ohio Valley filled with residents who are taking care of themselves as best they can. Coming together for an event like the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is our contribution to helping the valley reach those goals.”