The college football season is almost over, but one of the biggest games has yet to be played. The annual Army-Navy game is slated for Saturday, December 8 in Philadelphia, and in the week leading up to the anticipated match up, a group of West Point cadets is marking the occasion in a unique way. According to The Associated Press, the 19-member marathon team is going to run the game ball from New York to Philadelphia – about 140 miles.
The group of runners is expected to leave West Point in Hudson Valley on Thursday carrying the ceremonial game ball. The team estimates that it will take about two days to make the trip, which will bring them to Lincoln Financial Field just in time for the 3 p.m. kickoff.
The game, which has become one of the most time-honored traditions in college football, is set to be played for the 113th time. The Army-Navy game dates back to the 1890s and has been played each year since 1930.
Navy has a slight edge in the all-time series and has dominated Army as of late, and that might be the case again this year. The Midshipmen enter the game with a 7-4 record and are headed to the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Army, however, comes in at 2-9.
However, should Army upset the Midshipmen, the Black Knights would earn the Commander-in-Chief Trophy because they beat Air Force earlier this year. Army hasn't won that distinction since 1996.