Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor of Maryland. Midshipman 1st Class Tyler Sharp stands with Judge Katie O’Malley, Maryland’s First Lady, after completing the Frederick Douglass Honor Society/YMCA of Talbot County 10 Mile Race held in Easton, Md., May 1.

With a time of 1:01:16, averaging 6:08 per mile, Midshipman 1st Class Tyler Sharp participated in the race on his own time, as a test of his personal fitness and strength.

The event attracted over 200 runners and walkers to the 10-mile route that led racers around the town of Easton, an area well known for its connections to Frederick Douglass, who was born a slave outside the town and later escaped to become an prominent figure in the abolitionist movement as well as an author, orator and diplomat.

During the race, inspirational quotes and facts about Douglass were placed on signs on the side of the course for racers to learn about the man whose accomplishments helped changed history.

Sharp crossed the finish line just in time to be congratulated by Judge Katie O’Malley, Maryland’s First Lady, who remained to cheer on the other racers who followed.

‘‘It was nice to meet her,” said Sharp. ‘‘It was great that she showed up to give her support for the cause.”

The event raised nearly $8,000, with half of the proceeds designated to construct a memorial honoring Frederick Douglass on the Talbot County Courthouse lawn, and the other half to the YMCA of Talbot County to promote physical fitness in the community.

Sharp had looked at several events in the area and decided that participating in a charity race would be the best option.

‘‘The reason I did it was because I wanted to do a 10-mile road race for fun and to participate in one that’s for a good cause,” said Sharp.

Sharp, who is a member of the Naval Academy triathlon team, said that his placing in the race was a total surprise.

‘‘I was just running to have fun,” said Sharp. ‘‘It just worked out in the end.”

Sharp said that midshipman participation out in the community is not only good for personal improvement, but also helps develop good leaders for the armed forces.

‘‘It’s extremely important,” said Sharp. ‘‘We’re here to serve the nation first, in whatever capacity.”

For the future, Sharp intends to continue his training for future races, already planning to enter an event back home in Williamson, Mich., with his father.

‘‘I’ve done a lot,” said Sharp. ‘‘My ultimate goal is to participate in the Hawaii Iron Man tournament.”

Sharp will be commissioned May 28 as a surface warfare officer and will serve his first tour aboard USS Crommelin (FFG-37) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.