WHEELING - Joey Barki didn't mind sharing the glory with his baby sister Eva after crossing the finish line at the Ogden Tiny Tot Trot.
Following the event, Joey, 4, presented 10-month-old Eva - a potential future Tiny Tot Trotter herself - with the medal he and each of his fellow runners received after completing the 100-yard dash held Friday evening on 14th Street.
Along with the annual Torch Relay, the event kicked off festivities for the 34th annual Ogden Newspapers 20K Class Run and Walk, slated today in downtown Wheeling.
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Children dash down 14th Street toward the finish line during the Tiny Tot Trot as part of the Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic Run and Walk activities Friday evening.
As for his favorite part of Friday's dash, Joey put it simply.
"Winning," he said.
The race featured two heats, one for children ages 4-5 and another for those 3 and under. Each began beneath the WesBanco skyway and continued down 14th Street to the finish line, flanked on both sides by cheering crowds of family and onlookers.
Joey's grandmother, Peggy Barki, said the trot is a fun event that she and her family plan to continue taking part in.
"Just watching the kids, how excited they get," Peggy Barki said regarding why she enjoys the race so much. "Once they start running, it doesn't matter. They're all winners."
Cousins Ella Costain, 5, and Maddie Potts, 2, also participated, and each said they had a great time. Ella said she especially enjoys running.
Miriam Deinhardt, the children's grandmother, said she will take part in today's 20K main event. As one of a family of runners, she said the Ogden Tiny Tot Trot is a great way to get children started on living an active lifestyle.
"It introduces them to running," said Deinhardt. "It makes you lead a healthy life."
Along with a medal, each child received a balloon after the race. Many could be seen enjoying cool popsicles as the rock anthem "We Are the Champions" by Queen filled the downtown.
Race activities continue today with the 20K Walk at 7:30 a.m. and the 20K Run at 8 a.m. The 5K Run and Walk for Health begins at 8:15 a.m., with all events beginning at the start/finish line at 14th and Main streets. Late registration for the day's events begins at 6 a.m. at Heritage Port.