Army-Navy Ball Run Leaves Annapolis, Faces Winter Weather

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Even with a winter weather advisory for the region overnight, members of the U.S. Naval Academy's 13th Company have hit the road to run the game ball to Philadelphia. The athletes are participating in the Army-Navy Ball Run, a tradition that has been going on for more than 30 years.

Before the annual Army-Navy game, the Army runs its game ball from West Point, New York, and the Navy midshipmen run their ball from Annapolis. The Naval Academy started the practice in 1981. The journey for the midshipmen is about 130 miles to this year's game.

The Naval Academy runners are breaking up their ball run among 150 midshipmen, with each running about a 10-mile stretch of the relay, according to Runners World. Local fire departments and other agencies were reportedly notified ahead of time to provide support. The relay is made in segments about 10 miles each, and is expected to take 28 hours.

Ball Run Commander Midshipman 1st Class Jessica Velez says some of her best memories are from past ball runs. “This singular event has been the best bonding experience for the company all four years,” she told the Capital-Gazette.

The Army team's journey spans New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Both game balls will be presented by each team's ball runners at the stadium before kickoff at the 2017 Army-Navy game on Saturday, Dec. 9, at Lincoln Financial Stadium in Philadelphia.

Photo Credit: U.S. Naval Academy and a Beat Army pep rally and bonfire, by MC2 Caswell