WHEELING - According to her grandpa, Alexis Mason, 3, won the first heat of the Ogden Tiny Tot Trot.
'That Mason ... was first,' said Bill Stehney, the girl's grandfather, after the race held Friday on 14th Street.
The annual event kicks off the Ogden Newspapers 20K Class Run and Walk, slated today in downtown Wheeling. In addition to the 20K Walk at 7:30 a.m. and the 20K Run at 8 a.m., the 5K Run/Walk begins at 8:15 a.m. today at the start/finish line at 14th Street.
Article Photos
Photo by Shelley Hanson
Children take off from the starting line during the Ogden Tiny Tot Trot held Friday in downtown Wheeling.
Alexis, along with nearly 200 other children ages 5 and younger, all were deemed winners at the end of their respective races. This year, there were two heats - one for 4- and 5-year-olds, and another for children 3 years old and younger. Each child received a medal and a balloon for their efforts.
Alexis' sister, 21-month-old Ashley, also participated. They are the children of Trent and Melissa Mason.
Stehney said he ran the 20K race 12 times in the past. And grandma Anita Mason said she, too, was a 20K runner.
'It's a family affair,' Anita Mason noted.
Five-year-old twins Gracie and Grant Schehl, the children of Christina Schehl of Bethlehem, also did the trot.
'It's nice for the community. Even though it's not a big town, we still have good things for kids to do,' Schehl said.
Wheeling resident Bethany Moore brought her 2-year-old son, Redick, to the trot. She noted she and husband Ricky Moore also love to race.
'He's following in his footsteps,' Moore noted.
Despite a false start in the first heat caused by someone in the crowd popping a water bottle, Betsy Bethel, editor of OV Parent magazine, noted the event was a success.
'I think everybody had a great time,' she said.
In addition to OV Parent, the event also was sponsored by MedExpress, Oglebay Institute, Easter Seals and Paper Shack.