The Army West Point Marathon Team will run the game ball from West Point to Philadelphia, Pa., for the 120th Army-Navy game starting this Thursday, December 12th and will be running through our area on December 13th.
Notice in the map below that they will be getting off of 202 at Plymouth Rd. and taking 73 to Centre Square Fire Station to meet up with Warrior Watch, a veteran biking organization that rides their motorcycles with the team for the last 20 miles of their run to Philadelphia. The west Point Marathon Team anticipates arriving to this area around 1130-1145am on Friday December 13th.
The Army-Navy game is an honored academy tradition since Cadet Dennis Mahan Michie accepted a “challenge” from the Naval Academy 128 years ago. Army has won the past three meetings and looks to continue the streak. The marathon team hopes to contribute to another Army win in 2019 by putting in some rushing yards before the game even starts.
The first ball run, sponsored by the First Regiment, occurred in 1984. Since 1994, the marathon team has hand-delivered the game ball from West Point to wherever the game takes place. This year the team returns to Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field. With the help of local police officers and dedicated Army fans, the team will run 150 miles through New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in less than 24 hours.
“Over the years throughout the route, various groups have offered support and encouragement to the team,” said Cadet Nicholas McDonald, marathon team public affairs. “Whether it is merely a honk as the team passes by or escorts of local fire trucks, communities have always showered the team with kindness and helping hands showcasing that the Army-Navy football competition is more than just a game.”
As part of the Army People Strategy, the team will be highlighted on social media with the hashtag #BeyondTheGame. “People are the strength of the Army,” McDonald continued. “Taking care of people drives readiness, modernization and reform.”
Follow the marathon team through their official Facebook Page, “Army West Point Marathon Team – West Point, NY” for details on the official route and live updates.
Photos ©West Point Marathon Team