Jeff Knight, CEO of The Health Plan, figures he’ll remain a spectator when it comes to the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by the Health Plan.

But when he watched packs of urban warriors have a blast traversing the Tough As Nails course ­ filled with challenging obstacles that integrate many well-known parts of the Wheeling landscape ­ he loved what he saw.

Knight is excited for the 2023 edition of the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge, which quickly has become a signature event of the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine. The weekend will be held this year on May 27-28, with the Tough As Nail Urban Challenge happening May 28.

“It was a good start coming out of COVID,” said Knight, referencing the weekend’s two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think we hopefully we can build off that and make 2023 a little bit bigger and better.

“When we listened to the feedback from our staff about how challenging it was, it really makes me appreciate what they do (in the event).”

As popular as last year’s Tough As Nails was, event organizers aren’t about to rest on their laurels. Eric Anderson, publisher of the Tyler Star News, Wetzel Chronicle and Green Tab said his group has been hard at work adding facets to the event that will make it feel fresh and remain a tough course to crack.

“We are excited as we prepare for the 2023 version of the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge,” Anderson said. “This will be the third year of the Tough As Nails and we’ve added several new obstacles for this year’s event that will be sure to test participants physical and mental strength.

“The course will include climbing over, crawling under, or carrying a variety of items and give participants a full-body workout,” he continued. “Whether participants go at solo, or as a part of group, we feel they’ll be challenged and have fun doing it.”

Both Knight and event organizers believe much of the Tough As Nails’ popularity comes from how it uses the city environment around it to create obstacles and hearkens back to Wheeling’s history through some of those obstacles.

“I think it’s because of how its tied into the city and how the event is tied into the city,” Knight said. “With The Health Plan coming back to Wheeling and helping with the city’s revitalization, I think incorporating a lot of the history of the city into the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge makes it a cool event.

“We see this as a one-day event,” he added. “But we’re hoping people carry this over throughout the year so that they’re focusing on their wellness more than just one time a year.”

The Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan is the marquee event of Sunday, but the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine get started Saturday, May 27, with a full slate of events. The marquee event Saturday is the Ogden Newspapers Half-Marathon Classic, which will hold its 45th race.

Other Saturday events include the Twin Pops 5K Run presented by Ziegenfelder, the Twin Pops 5K Walk presented by Ziegenfelder, the Ogden Tiny Trot and the Ogden Fun Run, both also presented by Ziegenfelder. Sunday, May 28, also marks the return of the Wheeling Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour to that weekend.

Registration for all the weekend’s events can be found right now at ogdenwellnessweekend.com.

“The Health Plan has been an integral part of the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge since the event’s creation and Jeff and The Health Plan have graciously continued their support as the event’s sponsor,” said Perry Nardo, general manager of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register. “Tough As Nails is an exciting, unique challenge for those who accept it, and everyone involved can’t wait to see everyone take to the course again this year.”

The Health Plan also will look to defend its Corporate Cup Challenge championship in the 50-employees-and-more category. The Corporate Cup Challenge allows companies throughout the Ohio Valley to celebrate teamwork and camaraderie, while employees challenge themselves physically at all the weekend’s events.

“We want to encourage a healthy lifestyle,” Knight said. “It’s important to our staff, too. They really want to take care of their health.”

Event organizers are looking for companies to participate in one of two categories ­ businesses with 50 or more employees and businesses with fewer than 50 employees. For more Corporate Cup Challenge information, contact Joe Lovell at jlovell@theintelligencer.net.