WTRF-TV Joins Ogden Wellness Weekend as Media Partner | News, Sports, Jobs

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Participants in the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge, presented by The Health Plan, scale a wall adorned with the WTRF-TV logo. WTRF returns as the media partner of the Ogden Wellness Weekend, presented by WVU Medicine.

WHEELING — With the mantra of “Loving Living Local,” WTRF-TV makes it its mission to ingrain itself in events that perfectly represent the people and flavor of the Ohio Valley. This Memorial Day weekend, the station will join in with another valley staple.

WTRF once again will be the media partner of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend, presented by WVU Medicine. The station will be there to chronicle the weekend’s marquee events — the 44th running of the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic on Saturday, May 28, and the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge, presented by The Health Plan, on Sunday, May 29.

WTRF will promote both competitions over the next several months, along with plans for additional programming to help prepare participants for the grueling events.

“The news staff here at WTRF can’t wait to be a part of the Wellness Weekend,” said WTRF-TV News Director Brenda Danehart. “We love the idea of fitness, fun and family, and this event fits in perfectly with our motto of ‘Loving Living Local.’”

The Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic has been part of the Ohio Valley’s DNA for decades, and the 13.1-mile course is something veteran runners know very well. The course is considered among the toughest half marathons courses in the nation.

The Tough As Nails Urban Challenge, presented by The Health Plan, turns the competition up a notch. Now in its second year, the event sends contestants up, over and around a number of obstacles, some featuring a taste of local history. The grueling course has become a popular event.

Perry Nardo, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, said WTRF has been an integral part of the growth of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend.

“We appreciate everything that (WTRF Vice-President and General Manager) Roger Lyons and the team at WTRF have done to help make the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend such a success,” Nardo said. “In 2019 when we introduced the Tough as Nails event, WTRF was quick to step up with promotional and logistical support, which really added to the success and enthusiasm surrounding the event and the entire weekend. We are so pleased to have them back on board for this year’s Wellness Weekend.”

“All of us at WTRF-TV are thrilled to partner with Ogden Newspapers, WVU Medicine and The Health Plan for the Wellness Weekend,” Lyons said. “We look forward to the great weekend of events.”

The weekend provides fun and exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels. Events also include the 5K Twin Pops Run/Walk for Health, presented by Ziegenfelder, beginning at 7:50 a.m for the walk and 8 a.m. for the run May 28. Also that day will be the Ogden Fun Run, presented by Ziegenfelder, for runners ages 12 and younger at 8:30 a.m and, at 10:30 a.m., comes the Tiny Tot Trot, presented by Ziegenfelder. Children ages 4-5 will run first, followed by children ages 3 and younger.

On May 30, the Ohio Valley Trail Partners will hold the Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour starting at 7 a.m.