WHEELING — This year, the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine will expand its offerings so that participants of the four-legged variety can take part — and that expansion will benefit an organization dedicated to finding good pets a home.
The new Rovers on the River presented by Play N Stay Pet Camp will hold its inaugural run at noon May 24 at downtown Wheeling’s Heritage Port.
Participants and their pets will be able to traverse a 1¼-mile course near the Ohio River that will give pets and their owners the chance to stretch their legs — however many they have.
Joe Lovell, special events director for Ogden Newspapers and race director for the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, said Rovers on the River has been something in the works for the last three years after he saw a similar race at the Pittsburgh Marathon.
“People love their pets,” he said. “It’s a no-brainer to have something like this. People go out and walk with their pets all the time, but now they have something like this where they can get a little exercise with their pets, with other dogs and interact with others.”
The run finally came to fruition when Play N Stay Pet Camp stepped up as the sponsor. Owner Jessica Barclay agreed that adding a pet event to the weekend was a perfect way to enhance the entire experience. She has always been a big fan of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, so when the opportunity came for Play N Stay to make its mark on the event, they jumped at the chance.
Pet owners can often lead hectic lives, she said, and they might not always get the opportunity to take their furry friends out for a good-sized romp. Events like Rovers on the River give those folks a new, fun opportunity to spend time with their pets.
“I really like the engagement piece of it,” Barclay said. “To have something where (the pets) are the focus of the activity, I think it’s super exciting for both parent and pet.”
The walk along Heritage Trail will take pets and owners behind WesBanco Arena and across the walking bridge over Wheeling Creek. The field behind Main Street Bank will contain some fun obstacles for pets to traverse, then it’s back across the bridge, finishing on Nailers Way between the arena and the Intermodal Center.
Well-behaved pets are welcome and pets must have their current vaccinations. They must be leashed at all times with no retractable leashes. Owners must clean up after their pets and bags will be provided. No strollers, roller blades, bikes or scooters will be permitted on the course.
Entry is $25 and includes a pet medal, dog bandanna, bags, tennis balls and treats provided by Bully Max. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Ohio County Animal Shelter.
Shelter staff member Wendy Neubauer said that, not only will the proceeds be a wonderful benefit to the shelter, but the shelter’s presence at the event will be another boost. The shelter will be at the starting area with animals available to adopt.
“It’s awesome,” she said. “It gives the shelter more of an ability to get the animals’ faces out there. A lot of people don’t know we’re out here with the animals (at the shelter) because we’re out here in Triadelphia. So we’ll be out there in downtown Wheeling with them to get their faces out there to the public.”
Race organizers are excited to add an event that brings even more people to downtown Wheeling to join the fun and fellowship of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine, and also get the blood pumping for pets and their people.
“The Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine is a family event,” said Jim Spanner, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register. “So many people think of their pets as part of their family, so this is a wonderful opportunity to let our four-legged friends experience the weekend and all the excitement it offers.”
To register for Rovers on the River presented by Play N Stay Pet Camp, as well as all of the other events of the weekend, visit ogdenwellnessweekend.com.
