Photo by Gage Vota The McKee family started a new family tradition at the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend in downtown Wheeling with all four of them participating in various races. Pictured from left to right: Finn McKee, Morgan McKee, Laurie McKee and Derek McKee.
WHEELING – The McKee family decided to participate in the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine for the first time this year as a family. Husband Derek McKee participated in the 5K Run presented by WVU Medicine Children’s and wife Morgan participated in the 5K Walk presented by WVU Medicine Children’s. Their young sons Finn and Rory also got involved, with Finn finishing fourth overall in the Fun Run presented by WVU Medicine Children’s and Rory taking part in the Tot Trot presented by WVU Medicine Children’s.
“Morgan started running the 5K last summer and I’ve always run the 5K but I’ve had a few injuries so it’s nice to be able to run again and enjoy it again,” Derek McKee said.
The McKees plan to make Wellness Weekend an annual family tradition.
“We’re trying to do different healthy, fun, outdoor traditions with our kids, so this was just a perfect fit,” Derek McKee said. “It’s a fun weekend out here on the beautiful waterfront. Hopefully it’ll become something we do every year as a family.”
Derek McKee’s longtime friend, Chris Sengewald, just completed his first ever half marathon.
“I’ve run a few 10-mile races in Pittsburgh before, but I’ve also run the 5K at this event for the past few years and decided to give the main event a try,” Sengewald said.
A group of friends, including McKee and Sengewald’s high school and college friends, decided to challenge each other a few years ago.
“A few years ago we noticed we were getting a little better and decided we needed to push ourselves harder. We challenged each other on fitness and nutrition for about 12 weeks. My plan was to just run, so I’ve been running for the last two years, working towards my goal of completing a half marathon,” Sengewald said.
Sengewald’s children also participated in the Wellness Weekend events, with the older children taking part in the fun run and the youngest running the tot trot.
