Photo courtesy of Susan Murrow. Midshipmen participating in the 14th annual Port-to-Fort race stand by their starting line shortly before the start of the race April 25. The six-kilometer course helped raise funds for the locally-based foundation which provides exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families.

The six-kilometer course helped raise funds for the locally-based foundation which provides hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families, allowing families to remain together during a child’s medical crisis.

‘‘I volunteered because I support the work that Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation does,” said Midshipman 2nd Class Ryan Bresson. ‘‘Here at the Naval Academy, we are in a great position to help people out, and I think the fact that around 100 mids woke up on Sunday morning to go running speaks volumes to the willingness of midshipmen to sacrifice for others.”

The Navy team won the trophy for this year’s Armed Services Challenge, which is given to the military unit that brings the largest number of participants. Bresson placed first in the male age 20-29 group, while Midshipmen 4th Class Michael Birnbaum and Kyle Kelly took first and second place respectively for their age group.

‘‘This was my second year running it, and once again it was a great race. They have an awesome group of volunteers and everything goes towards a worthy cause, so I speak for all of the mids that went when I say we had a great time,” said Bresson.

According to Midshipman 3rd Class Kara Yingling, the race further reinforced what her parents have taught her for years.

‘‘My parents always say it is much better to give than receive, and by knowing I had a part in hopefully changing a child's outlook on his illness means the world.”

Believe in Tomorrow invites teams of armed service members, coworkers, families and friends each year to join the race.

‘‘I would tell everyone to consider doing this race,” said Yingling. ‘‘Not only for the wonderful experience of helping others, but also for the atmosphere of the race and volunteers. Running six kilometers is not nearly as difficult as battling a terminal illness.”

Although this is the 14th year for the race, the Armed Services Challenge was created as a category in 2002. Initially awards were given to the largest service team. A trophy for the Armed Services Challenge was awarded for the first time in 2005.