The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives. The Bataan Memorial …
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The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.
The Bataan Memorial Death March is the Army’s premier endurance event and the ultimate challenge. It takes grit, determination, perseverance and strength to conquer this punishing desert course… 26.4 miles of rugged terrain, high elevation and hot desert sun. It’s the must-run of all must-runs.
It’s also one of the most unique and moving race weekends you’ll ever experience. That’s because it’s more than just a marathon. It’s a march to honor the fallen heroes and the survivors of the brutal Bataan Death March of World War II. It’s a chance to run, walk or march for those who gave their lives for their country, and to honor today’s heroes, veterans and fallen warriors. The March is a humbling and moving experience – a time to honor the heroes of Bataan and to pay our respects to those that made the ultimate sacrifices to give us the freedoms we have now.
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Worth Repeating
From what I observed, there were plenty of tent sites and RV sites (no hookups) when i picked up my packet on Saturday. Getting on base race morning took about … MORE
From what I observed, there were plenty of tent sites and RV sites (no hookups) when i picked up my packet on Saturday.
Getting on base race morning took about 45 minutes from my hotel in Las Cruces. I arrived around 5:00 am and had plenty of time to relax, prep, etc.
If you have any doubts about starting with the runners because you think you’re not fast enough or plan to run/walk, erase those doubts. Get in line with the runners otherwise it will be difficult to get around all those marching. It also makes it easier to navigate the water stops/bathrooms because there are less people.
Don’t be afraid of the sand pit, embrace it! It was about 3/4 of a mile. I broken my fibula 2 months earlier so I didn’t want to risk rolling an ankle so I walked it (both times). Walking it gave me the opportunity to meet and talk with marchers on the second loop.
I want to do this race again, when I’m trained and with the original course that includes Mineral Hill.
Thank you White Sands for putting on this race.
Amazing race for a great cause BUT
This is a super unique race with a lot of meaning that goes beyond your normal marathon. Participated as a civilian/light division. We camped the night before on base and … MORE
This is a super unique race with a lot of meaning that goes beyond your normal marathon. Participated as a civilian/light division. We camped the night before on base and joined the pasta buffet – highly recommended. Showed up right as the opening ceremony began. The first loop was a breeze with no issues as everyone were spread out. The support on course was great – water, electrolytes, bananas and orange. Plenty and frequently. Loved the opening ceremony and the camaraderie that comes with doing something challenging that also preservers the memory of all of those that lost their lives or survived the horrific Bataan Death March in WWII and its aftermath.
The only major con this year was the course change and the communication about it. Race organizers knew about the course change (from one big loop with a large hill to two loops without a hill) weeks in advance but waited until the day after registration closes to communicate this to participants. Specifically to those who plan to run this, the second loop was very challenging due to the amount of people you have to pass who are walking with full and very heavy packs (amazing). The uniqueness and pride you feel afterwards still keeps it at five stars for me. Recommended!
Punishing wind and double sandpit
Okay, so I feel whiny talking about how hard the path was on the race to commemorate a truly hellacious path that claimed so many lives. I am not oblivious … MORE
Okay, so I feel whiny talking about how hard the path was on the race to commemorate a truly hellacious path that claimed so many lives. I am not oblivious to that.
This year utilized a different course that involved two trips through the sandpit. If you know, you know, and you know how much that sucked. I will trade sand for elevation any day of the week, so I missed that incline. The winds through the canyons apparently topped 100mph, and for anyone who has lived by the mountains you know how constant that wind can be. Shout out to Kabul. Fortunately (?) for us the wind “only” got up to sustained 55mph on the course. Unfortunately, it was diagonally predominantly headwind. I have sand in places I didn’t even know I had. This was the first race I’ve been on where people were actually sleeping on the side of the course who were active participants in the race, because they were simply that tired. (To the Supersoldier that finished the heavy division in just over 4 hours:…what is the future like in your timeline?)
We started to cannon fire at sunrise and blackhawks patrolled the course at the start. It brought back a lot of memories of nine years overseas and I’m not ashamed to say my eyes got wet. It was nice to be surrounded with that many uniformed personnel and vets (and tons of civilians who understood the sentiment of the whole race) and just start making friends on the course. To the lady in the blue who told me to go on, I really hope you finished, but if you didn’t, I’m still proud of you. You had a lot of heart, and that race was hard. To the wonderful ladies that kept me occupied in the sandpit on the second lap, you were looking strong and I’m glad to see that the new generation wearing my uniform knows how to bring the heat. I sleep safer knowing the torch was passed to worthy sisters. To the guy at the end that rubber banded the last 6 miles with me. I saw you finish but I was too far away to say anything. Good on you for pushing through. I hope your foot gets better and I hope that duct tape held.
Back to the race. The medal is concentrated (not “small”) but appropriate to the classic size of medals, and is gorgeously designed. Even the ribbon was striking and I have no reason to not display this front and center. The tshirt is a very soft cotton that I wore home on the plane. It’s not ostentatious but it’s enough for people to see it, and in another “if you know you know” sort of situations, it got me two free drinks at the airport. For a little extra ($80) you can get your finisher certificate framed the day before with dog tags and coin at the bottom, and well, let’s face it, you probably aren’t going to do this often (though to my new race buddy that said this year was the hardest of the 5 years he did it…thanks for keeping me strong and grounded and not just feeling like I was having a weak day), so drop the $80 and do it. There’s some other nice memorabilia available at packet pickup that runs from a couple bucks to 20 or so and is worth checking out. Especially if you say you aren’t going to be out there again. I said that. Getting my behind kicked on the course solidified it and I absolutely was “checked that box” by mile 25. I’m also going back for the anniversary year, so…
I did the Civilian Heavy division, which requires a 35lb rucksack. Because I’m bad at math and wanted more of a challenge, I did 45lbs. When I go back it will be 35 because wow is this course taxing, and if the constant headwind from the mountain effect is standard this time of year I may do light (no pack) division next time just to see how much that changes the difficulty.
Aid stations are about every two miles. Banana, oranges (really great ones), some gatorade alternative and of course water were available at each. I think I ate 12 full oranges that day. The aid station volunteers are absolutely on-point and I was proud to meet so many dedicated people that have reverence for Bataan (original) and the memorial march. They would ferry out supplies on trays to prevent major backlogs at tables, and that was very much appreciated. Many of them thanked me for my service after we’d chatted about the past, and I thanked them for the very much appreciated support they were providing.
At mile 11 or so there are burgers for sale. Buy a burger. It’ll add 30-45 minutes to your time because of the line. Fine. Nobody PRs at Bataan anyway, so unless you’re trying to get a course-specific PR, get the burger and the comradery that comes with eating on the ground with your sometimes nameless new friends and shielding your food from the blowing sand over good conversation before getting up and starting the push together. To my guys with the hiking poles, you guys are amazing, and thanks for all the convo, Doc.
The scenery…it’s the desert. You’re in a bowl of mountains that tower over you. That’s typically something you love or you hate, so keep that in mind. When you see the gates for the final chute just past the golf course and the live music and amazing food at the end though, that scenery is going to be some of the most amazing you’ve ever seen.
I hit the wall at mile 22 at that aid station. To the lady who was also struggling that talked with me, I’m sure your husband is really proud of you, and to the guy who was thinking about quitting, I really hope you picked up your pack and finished, brother. I know it sucked. I know the next 4.2 weren’t a walk in the park either. If you didn’t though. No shame. A lot of people didn’t finish. If you don’t go back next year, I hope you join me in 2029 for the anniversary year. I promise I hate that race, too, but that’s why I’m going back. Dragons strike with fire.
Death
Tough course. Participated in the military individual heavy division - 40 pound dry ruck sack. Mineral hill and the sand pit was a soul crusher! Great job to the organizers, … MORE
Tough course. Participated in the military individual heavy division – 40 pound dry ruck sack. Mineral hill and the sand pit was a soul crusher! Great job to the organizers, White sands missile range, New Mexico national guard, and all the sponsors. Fostered a great community in support of a great cause.
Unique, Meaningful March in the Desert
I want to start by saying this was one of the most meaningful and unique races I have participated in. Therefore I feel a little bad giving it 4 sneakers … MORE
I want to start by saying this was one of the most meaningful and unique races I have participated in. Therefore I feel a little bad giving it 4 sneakers since it is such a wonderful event but there were multiple small production aspects that could have been done better and if fixed this would easily be 5 sneakers. This race serves as a memorial to those in the Bataan Death March and you can meet the few survivors left at the event. The race takes place in White Sands Missile Range which is a super cool, historical and scenic area for a race. It is near Las Cruces, NM which is the closest place for lodging. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express there. It is not the easiest or cheapest place to get to. The closest airport is El Paso which is about an hour away but flights from Boston to El Paso were over $1000 so I ended up flying in and out of Albuquerque which is about 3.5 hours away. It’s a very scenic and beautiful drive through the desert though. I thought pre-race communication could have been better. The website was missing some information about parking and the course map. Some of this was sent in an email and some on social media but there wasn’t one email, website, athlete guide or anything that had all the info. You are required to get your packet the day before the race. It sounds like there were some travel issues probably related to high winds the day before the race so they made an exception this year to get it race day. I however had no travel issues and made it to packet pick-up. Packet pick-up was on the missile range and there was a bit of an expo and also some history exhibits and merch to purchase. Packet included bib and a shirt. It is a fine, average polyblend shirt. I liked that they had a scanning area to make sure your chip worked. They also gave a map of the course and the parking area. One thing I really wish is there were better race day morning directions. It just gave directions to the base and said volunteers will point where to go. This worked fine for parking but I ended up not knowing where I parked as I just followed directions in the dark which led to issues after the race. I’d prefer a physical address to put in my GPS or the address for the various parking lots to make it easier to trouble shoot if you don’t remember where you parked. The start was about a 5 minute walk. I went to the porta potties about an hour before the race started and there were no lines but there were long lines soon after. There is a 20 minute opening ceremony at 6:30 and the race starts around 7am. The race actually started a bit early this year. One other critique is how the corrals were designed. This race has both a marathon option and the 14.2 mile honorary march option. I chose the shorter option. However the marathon option has multiple division including civilian and military and lightweight and heavy weight. The heavy weight division carries a 35 lb ruck sack. The corrals go marathon runners, light weight marathoners, heavy weight marathoners and then honorary march. While it was very impressive to watch the marathoners with their ruck sucks, it was very hard to maneuver around them doing the honorary march. I think the honorary march should go after the lightweights. As a result I pretty much walked the entirety of the first 8 miles that are shared with the marathon. How the course works is there is a lower and upper loop. The honorary marchers do the lower loop and the marathoners split off at mile 8 and do the upper loop and then rejoin around mile 20. Even if it was slow going there was beautiful desert scenery and great camaraderie while I walked the first 8 miles. The course was well marked this year. The first about mile is road and the rest trail. Most not technical at all until a little after mile 8. I had trail shoes mostly because I didn’t want to get my road shoes all dusty but they weren’t necessary. The production on course was pretty good. There were not enough porta potties though and aid stations were quite crowded. With everyone walking a similar pace the race was not as spread out making the aid stations more jammed packed than usual. I think everyone did the best they could. It was much better than the aid stations at Disneyland the last race I did that was this jammed pack like this. Aid stations had water and gatorade and some had fruit as well. At mile 8 you diverge from the marchers and it is a different vibe. There are enough honorary marches and marathon runners than you aren’t alone but its much more spread out. I was hoping to be able to run a bit here but soon after mile 8 there is the sand pit. It honestly wasn’t that bad but it was about 1 mile of looser sand so it was hard to run in but not necessarily hard to walk in. I managed to sort of run the last few miles of the race but it was a pretty slow pace as the marching and sand pit tired me out. Other than the sand pit I thought this was a pretty easy course and would be a good “intro” to trail running course. The full marathon has a steeper climb and this is definitely not easy for those doing the full in the heavyweight division. There is a really long time limit and it is very, very, very walker friendly. In fact most people walk. I was in the top 150 out of over 600 honorary marchers with my slow, mostly walking pace. The finish line was nice and this year they did have finisher medals. The medal is fine. It is average for a medal for a longer race although I don’t think a gaudy, huge medal would be appropriate for a race like this. I enjoyed the race a lot but then had a lot of issues after the race. The first is I was starving. I read the prior reviews of veggie burgers so thought I’d have no problem with food. However there was no free food just food trucks. Being one of the first finishers (which is such a weird position for me) the food trucks were setting up and some weren’t open. Also there were very limited vegetarian options. I had plans back in Albuquerque at 5 and waited in a couple lines and ended up with no food. I was so hungry. There should be some free food. At least granola bars or fruit. The food trucks also should be prepared for earlier runners especially if there is not free food at the end. The finish is about 1/2 mile away from the parking lots and there is a shuttle. The shuttle was efficient but I realized I had no idea what parking lot I was in. I got off at the wrong one and took a wrong turn and it took me about 20 minutes to find my car. Again some of this was on me but I do think having clearer parking instructions may have prevented this. Another issue was the main gate was closed and I got lost getting off base. If this was a planned closure I think some better instructions for leaving base would be helpful. I did manage to make it to Albuquerque in time for my plans but I was very rushed and didn’t get to shower right after the race. Overall I thought this was a very meaningful event and has the potential to be a top-tier race but there were a few issues with communication and post-race that prevented me from giving it a perfect score. I would still 100% recommend this race as it is such as unique experience.
Unique and challenging: a spectacle
I ran this in the “civilian” light division meaning no 35 lb ruck. Others have described the logistics and weight of the event so I won’t repeat all that. The … MORE
I ran this in the “civilian” light division meaning no 35 lb ruck. Others have described the logistics and weight of the event so I won’t repeat all that. The first 14 miles are grueling but manageable with the following downhill a necessary reset. The sand pit was a bit overrated in difficulty. I wore short running shorts, my standard brooks glycerines and no gaiters. No wardrobe issues at all. I had a hard time knowing what to expect time-wise but I think a good rule of thumb could be add 30-40 minutes to your comfortable marathon finish.
5/5 just for the novelty of the event and what it represents.
More Than A Marathon
What a fabulous experience. From huddling in the car pre-race to avoid the freezing temperatures to watching the sun slowly rise on the desert floor while roll was called and … MORE
What a fabulous experience. From huddling in the car pre-race to avoid the freezing temperatures to watching the sun slowly rise on the desert floor while roll was called and Taps was played to seeing young men and women run with 40 lb packs through 26.2 miles. What an experience. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
INSPIRATIONAL, UNIQUE, EMOTIONAL
What an absolutely amazing experience! I was fortunate to finish the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon with over 8,700 marchers and runners, placing 2nd overall for the women’s heavy division … MORE
What an absolutely amazing experience! I was fortunate to finish the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon with over 8,700 marchers and runners, placing 2nd overall for the women’s heavy division running 26.2 through the desert sand and blistering heat with a 42.06 lb ruck sack on my back. Apparently we only had to carry 35 lbs. and well my
husband packed mine to 42.06. At times I fast walked parts as the sand was way over my ankles, making it virtually impossible to run. The bearing weight over hill after hill and through high sand was physically exhausting and when my back continually throbbed, I focused my mind on the words and stories from the book “Tears in the Darkness” and my pain was no longer a concern. The highlight of this event was most definitely hearing the stories of these brave heroes, the survivors who marched day after day while tortured by the Japanese, the hardships they faced for 4 years and how their lives were forever changed. However, I will never forget the awards ceremony when Harold Bergbower (POW survivor) gave me the biggest hug and asked how in the world I carried all that on my back when it is bigger than me. My response was simply, “I was truly inspired by him and his comrades and nothing was going to stop me from honoring them to my fullest ability!” As the tears welled up in the corners of this sweet 98 year old man eyes, I couldn’t help but think of how truly blessed we are to have men like this to help us learn from history and restore our faith in this great nation! These men sang “God Bless America” tonight with cracked voices and held back tears and I literally had chills running up my spine. What true Americans, after all they endured their faith and loyalty to this nation is beyond remarkable! May we never forget these incredible heroes of The Bataan Death March and their stories, such amazing men! Definitely recommend!
Awesome Experience!!!
It was my first marathon and I didn't do great but this route is not flat or easy with some sandy parts after mile 20. The experience is worth every … MORE
It was my first marathon and I didn’t do great but this route is not flat or easy with some sandy parts after mile 20. The experience is worth every painful mile, knowing you are running in honor of soldiers who went through hell protecting our country and our allies.
Very Emotional
Everything about this race is so unique and special. Being able to march at White Sands Missle Range, meeting Bataan Survivors, meeting some wonderful people on the course, all of … MORE
Everything about this race is so unique and special. Being able to march at White Sands Missle Range, meeting Bataan Survivors, meeting some wonderful people on the course, all of it is unforgettable. I really hope to do this one again, in the future
A living memorial to WWII heroes
BOTTOM LINE: Are you a traveling runner in search of a uniquely inspiring (and patriotic) race experience? Or a 50 States runner looking for more than the usual race weekend … MORE
BOTTOM LINE: Are you a traveling runner in search of a uniquely inspiring (and patriotic) race experience? Or a 50 States runner looking for more than the usual race weekend of “fly in, collect t-shirt and medal, fly out”? Or maybe a recreational hiker looking to experience history through the eyes of those who lived it? All three opportunities await you on the White Sands Missile Range in the high desert of Southern New Mexico.
Bataan is a race with a purpose, and the marathon itself feels almost anticlimactic in the grand scheme of the weekend. In the words of one of the officers who spoke at the Opening Ceremony, race weekend is an opportunity “to honor the heroes of Bataan in a living history lesson.” If you aren’t familiar with the history of the event, I’d suggest you check out the race website (or my blog post) for details.
This year, the 76th anniversary of the Bataan Death March in the Philippines during World War II, seven survivors remained on the Symbolic Roll Call. With each of them approaching or exceeding 100 years of age, soon there will be none. Bataan will always be a special event for what it represents and what it honors, but being able to hear one survivor tell his story and to shake another’s hand at the finish line was incredibly special. And I’d urge any runner reading this to register for next year’s race while there are still Bataan survivors among us. Survivors like centenarian Ben Skardon of South Carolina, who shared an extraordinary narrative of the horrors and humanity he experienced as a POW, forced by his Japanese captors to march 69 miles over five days in tropical heat of 110°F. Along the way, with the help of his fellow POWs he conquered hunger and disease without ever giving up hope. And yet years later, he was able to visit Japan as a free man who harbored no ill will toward his former captors or the Japanese people. That feels like heroism to me.
In a country and a time when few of us will ever be asked to make any real sacrifices in our lives, Bataan is an opportunity to pay our respects to those who did and to whom we owe the freedom and the comfortable lifestyle we readily take for granted.
And speaking of comfort, one suggestion for race day: you don’t necessarily need trail shoes (the course is ~25% asphalt, ~75% dirt/sand), but do consider wearing gaiters to prevent any sand or small rocks from finding their way into your shoes and forcing you to either run in discomfort or stop to shake out your shoes along the course.
The upshot? Road shoes, trail shoes, marching boots or bare feet, it doesn’t matter — run/march Bataan and do it soon, before our nation’s last living connections to World War II are gone forever.
PRODUCTION: Throw out the first two miles, and the weekend ran with almost military precision. The most conspicuous race-day error was an apparent lack of signage in mile 2, resulting in a wrong turn that led hundreds of runners astray and added ~1.6 miles to my own total. Had this been most other races the fallout might have been loud and belligerent, but Bataan isn’t most other races — no one is there to set a personal best or qualify for Boston, and so instead I congratulated myself on my 4:34 finish in the inaugurual Bataan Memorial Death March Ultramarathon.
A couple of other race-day suggestions: 1) increase the number of porta-potties at the start, and especially if the event continues to increase its participant cap as it did this year with a record 8,460 marchers — unable or unwilling to fight the call of nature, many military personnel and civilians (like me) experienced the Opening Ceremony from our place in the long porta-potty lines; 2) create an actual start arch, or at least add clear signage to the existing “arch” (i.e. first timing station) to give runners and marchers a better sense for the start line.
Based on my Garmin the 26.2 miles of the official course were well measured, and after missing the first three mile markers due to the crowds, I saw every marker from mile 4 on. On the dirt portions once the runners spread out, there were a couple of side roads and potential detours off the main trail that could have been more clearly marked as “Wrong Way,” but even my own questionable sense of direction didn’t lead me down any of them.
Every one of the 2,000 volunteers, comprising both civilian and military personnel, was amazing. With 100% focus on the marchers and their needs, there was no drama and no distractions. I never had to waste valuable energy guessing who had water and who had Gatorade — that was made clear as I approached each aid station. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the volunteers whose selfless hard work made Bataan weekend in White Sands a huge success.
As usual my appetite abandoned me after the race, despite an impressive selection of post-race food. The organizers did a nice job of refueling their marchers, offering all participants an entrée (including hot dogs and veggie burgers) plus three side dishes and a drink, with soft drinks and canned beer available. It all added up to one of the better post-race spreads I’ve seen at a marathon.
One last recommendation for the organizers would be to post the 6½-minute high-speed course video — shown on a loop at the expo — on the race website, to give all prospective runners a better sense for the terrain. (See video link on this race page.) I knew to expect hot dry weather on race day, so course layout and terrain were the biggest wild cards. And preparation is the cornerstone of a good soldier!
SWAG: Nobody runs Bataan for the swag, and in fact it almost feels like an afterthought with all runners/marchers receiving their swag in a reusable goodie bag before the race. And though I missed the pomp and circumstance of receiving a medal after crossing the finish, thumbs up to the organizers for the appropriate choice of dog tags rather than finisher medals. (The only problem with dog tags is they’re relatively small and, when hung on a wall alongside larger finisher medals, easily overshadowed.) Another cool touch would have been for the event to offer engraving services (e.g. name and finish time) à la actual dog tags at the post-race festival. At any rate, the dog tags are definitely one of my more unique and memorable pieces of swag.
Sadly I can’t say the same for the shirt, a neon green Gildan cotton tee with “bataan” printed in thin, unimpressive blue letters on the front and which I can’t see myself wearing among my collection of race tees.
Along with their bib number all marchers received a full-color “Certificate of Participation,” which the WSMR Arts & Crafts Center would custom frame — along with your dog tags and challenge coin — for $65 at the expo/In-Processing while you waited. This service wasn’t available at the post-race festival, so if you’re interested in a cool keepsake you should jump on this opportunity before the race.
For more details of an amazing White Sands weekend, check out my blog post at: https://blisterscrampsheaves.com/2018/04/17/bataan-memorial-death-march-race-report
Great desert race
This race is not as difficult as the name makes it sound. The “Death March” part of it is in reference to the Bataan Death March from World War II … MORE
This race is not as difficult as the name makes it sound. The “Death March” part of it is in reference to the Bataan Death March from World War II that this race is a memorial to. The actual marathon course in the White Sand Missile Range is tough, but no death march.
One of the cool things about the race is the history involved. The few remaining survivors from the Bataan death march give talks at packet pickup, and are present before the race at the opening ceremony, and then after the race. Many of the people who do this race/march carrying a 35 lb pack the whole way.
The race course is roughly a figure eight with the 14 mile march consisting of the bottom loop and the marathon continuing on to do the top loop also. The race starts on a paved road and there are several miles in the middle that are paved, but most of it is on a dirt fire road. The road is not rocky but there was long stretches of soft sand which certainly slows one down. In fact around mile 20 there is a stretch of about half a mile of soft sand and pebbles. I didn’t have gators so I had to stop and dump all the rocks out of my shoes.
There is only one hill that really matters. It starts on one of the paved section and then continues when you get back on the dirt road. It peaks around mile 14. There is a decline after that but also some bumps here and there.
This year there was some confusion of the location of the actual starting line, and some minor direction issues and we ran an extra 1.5 miles at the start.
. But other than that it was a well organized race. The support stations had either water or Gatorade as well as fruit. If you want spectators this is probably not the race for you. But if you like the desert you will love this race.
The T shirt was a nice cotton shirt which only said “Bataan” on it. I would have liked to see at least ‘marathon’ on there too. The medal was a dog tag they give you before the run which is also nondescript. Being able to talk to the survivors at the finish line was awesome. And the race provided a very good lunch also.
A MUST for every runner!
What can I say! Every runner who supports our military (which should be everyone!) should participate in this event at least once in their running career. It's not a PR … MORE
What can I say! Every runner who supports our military (which should be everyone!) should participate in this event at least once in their running career. It’s not a PR race by any means, it’s truly about the experience.
Bottom Line: It’s hot! Wear a fishing hat that provides shade for your neck, face and ears. There’s dust, dirt, and sand! Bring an extra pair of socks because you’re going to want to change them at some point. Several aid stations offer baby powder and other thing to help with foot care. Bring fluids and food as well! You’re gonna need it!!!
The opening ceremony is amazing. Standing amongst all the uniformed participants while listening to the rollcall and the national anthem will always bring tears to your eyes. The race provides honor bibs with names of individual servicemen/women. My friend chose one for me, a Navy Seal named Christopher Pike. During the ceremony, a young guy in full uniform and ruck came up to me and said “I knew Pike.” He had tears in his eyes and said “he was a good man.” I was speechless.
The course is hard. There’s the marathon and a 14 mile option. No shade, dusty dirt roads, one section of deep loose sand, and then more dusty roads. You can plan to run this race as I did, but you will likely find yourself deep in conversation with someone and realize you’ve been walking for 3 miles. I spoke to a guy who had an ammo box with a black and white photo of a soldier attached to his ruck. He told us that he had posted online in several forums that he planned to complete Bataan. An elderly woman responded with stories of her Husband (a Bataan survivor) and the two began corresponding. She asked him if she would carry her Husband’s POW arm band and medals during the race. After the race, he would be transferring and his travels would take him close to her hometown. He planned to return the items to her in person. I cried. Yet again.
Around the halfway point there is a large aid station with food for sale and cots for resting and changing shoes/socks. There were whole units of Marines and others sitting and resting… It was a really hot day for me and I was wearing a Maniac top and shorts. I can’t begin to imagine doing this race with full uniform and 40+ pounds on my back. (Some had a lot more!)
Near the end of the course, I came upon an older man walking with a cane. The back of his shirt read “Made in USA 1928. All original Parts.” This man was walking the 14 mile. He was a veteran and had been suffering out in the heat along with me. I cried again. Right in front of him was a group of soldiers in full uniform. One had a prosthetic leg and was carrying a full ruck. They were taking frequent breaks and stopped near a large satellite dish to rest in its shade. I cried again.
This race will really make you appreciate everything you have and will put the world back into perspective.
Spend time the day before listening to the survivors. (if you can – There are very few remaining.) Listen to their stories. Watch the documentaries. Read their books prior to coming (I read 2 autobiographies of Bataan survivors). Learn why this race exists. You will appreciate it so much more.
I will definitely be returning!
A Humbling Race Honoring our Veterans
The Bataan Memorial Death March is a great, well-organized race honoring our military. The course runs entirely on a military base in Southern New Mexico. The majority of participants are … MORE
The Bataan Memorial Death March is a great, well-organized race honoring our military. The course runs entirely on a military base in Southern New Mexico. The majority of participants are military, and many run in full gear with a rucksack which makes for a very inspiring field. Civilian runners start the race last, behind military participants, so this isn’t the best race for personal bests. However, surviving veterans of the Battle of Bataan during WWII greet runners with a handshake before the race starts, making this one of the most memorable race experiences available. Most of the course is on loose sand, and hot, dry temperatures and afternoon winds are almost guaranteed in this part of the desert, so stay hydrated and be prepared for sun and dust. Hotel rooms sell out fast in the nearest town of Las Cruces, so make reservations early.
Special event
I did this event with fellow veterans as part of a "heavy" team (rucked in uniform, carrying 40+ pounds of weight...you must carry 35 lbs not including water or any … MORE
I did this event with fellow veterans as part of a “heavy” team (rucked in uniform, carrying 40+ pounds of weight…you must carry 35 lbs not including water or any additional gear, and a gas mask). It’s a difficult event in the high desert, sandy, usually quite warm, perhaps windy, and sunny. Many people run it like any other marathon but it’s definitely not a “PR” course. It is entirely worth doing, and the sooner the better. There is a dwindling number of surviving Bataan Death March service members, and several of them are at this event. In 2012, many of them participated in the shorter distance events. You don’t do this event for the swag or the bling; in fact we got the dog tag “medal” before the race. It’s one of those marathons that’s worth doing for the sake of what it represents and those you meet along the course.
Challenging and Emotionally Rewarding
A challenging but inspirational event steeped in the history of WWII and the Battle of Bataan. This event is run entirely on the White Sands Missile Range. In 2009 (the … MORE
A challenging but inspirational event steeped in the history of WWII and the Battle of Bataan. This event is run entirely on the White Sands Missile Range. In 2009 (the year I ran it) there were 15 survivors in attendance. The day prior to the race, after packet pickup the participants could wander through the education center and sit in one of the many classrooms to hear one of the survivors speak about their experience in the Battle of Bataan. I must have slept through this lesson in history class because I had no idea of the extreme torture our troops endured in the Philippines.
On the morning of the race as the runners are assembled there is a moving tribute to those who died. Just prior to the start is a military flyover which makes the ground shake. The survivors who are in attendance are seated near the starting line and make a point to shake everyone’s hand. They are also at the 15 mile mark and at the finish line to thank the runners for remembering them. As this event pays tribute to the challenges in the battle, the course itself is a challenge including hills and heat and sand. In fact, there is a two mile stretch at the 19 mile mark which is uphill in ankle deep sand! The race is well supported with adequate aid stations.
There are several categories of runners. Military light or heavy; civilian light or heavy; and as a team. The heavy designation requires you run with a 35 pound pack on your back. The military categories require full military dress including boots.
There is no time limit.
This is one of the most difficult races I have run but it is one of the most emotionally and intellectually rewarding experiences you will ever have.