Army, Navy stage fitness contests in Philly, Camden

The Navy won the first event, this morning at the Rocky Steps, because the Army had trouble opening a stretcher.

This wasn't your typical touristy Stallon-style ascension at the Art Museum. After 50 push-ups and jumping-rope reps, squads of four - including men and women - raced up the steps carrying a dummy on the stretcher.

At the top, a flag was waved, to signal each team's other four members to repeat the entire drill.

Then everybody took off running to the next event in the annual Patriot Games - a mock military mission at 10 a.m. outside the Independence Visitors Center, Sixth and Market Streets. At noon, it's a pull-up competition - most in the five minutes - at the Shops at Liberty Place, 16th and Chestnut. Both events were to be open to the public.

At 3 p.m., a tug-of-war is scheduled for the deck of the Battleship New Jersey on the Camden Waterfront. Admission should mean a closer look, but the event should be visible from off the ship as well.

At 4 p.m., cadets and midshipmen will give swimming lessons at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, 4200 Wissahickon Ave., back in Philadelphia.

Finally, at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, before the annual Army-Navy Game at Lincoln Financial Field, spectators will witness the running of an obstacle relay course, including rope crawls, rope ladders and cones.

Note: Photos will be added to this story as they become available.