Bataan Memorial Death March Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Brian P.
Albuquerque, NM

  (01-01-2010)

"Very unique event. It is on a mix of dirt road, paved road and some areas of deep sand. About mile 21 to 22 is all deep sand and is a real but kicker at that point in the race. It is wild being a marathon runner because when you round the large hill that represents the turn around point you start running back against a sea of people marching in military uniform carrying packs. There are also civilian marchers traveling in groups. It gives the impression of a population evacuating after a military takeover."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Jan j.
here, NM

  (08-19-2009)

"I entered 2009 Bataan memorial because it was close to home. I knew it will be more than a marathon, I knew it will be tough, I knew the weather could be unpredictable and I knew the course will be 100% on trails with lots of sand gravel and hills, but what the heck I will finish it somehow. The participants in this race are different than in your typical R&R marathon. They come mostly from military and veterans organizations, but about 30% is your normal marathon crowd. There was over 5000 participants and almost all of them finished the race. Finishing it is the only thing that is guarantied. Even though thoughts of quiting will cross your mind many times, you will finish it. When you look at the survivors of the original 1942 march, you know that they are here because they didn't quit. When you see, runners with artificial legs and they are not quiting, you will not. When you see a veteran walking on crutches and he is not quiting, you will definitely not. The spirit of the race was visible even in the event program, the one that you receive during sign up. for Sunday(day of the race) you will see “lunch will be served from10:00 till the last runner arrives”
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Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009