The "heavy" categories carry a 35-pound pack, plus any water they want. I did not do that. I could not. Nor did I run. This is a great "event," and I will try to be there again next year. I walked 26.2 miles (as most people do) and I was glad I did. What a challenge: 4000+ feet elevation, lots of inclines, sand, wind, and heat (after about 9 a.m.) - and more sand. I read everything about this marathon and found it all to be true... it is very challenging. If you are even thinking about it... do it. It's well worth the effort. But I have no idea of how to train for it. Great volunteers, smart organization, lots of medical help (lots of blisters). And more sand than you will ever want. I think sunscreen, sunglasses, extra water, gaiters, and good shoes are all "musts."

Although the tile may indicate otherwise, the race was not unbearably difficult. Probably the 3rd toughest marathon course I've run (out of 9); easier than Leadville and Wyoming, and tougher than the Sedona Marathon. The race is organized at White Sands Missile Range to honor the United States and Philippines soldiers who were forced to go on a real death march to POW camps during World War II.

We enjoyed running this race, and even got to meet some of the WWII veterans who came to cheer us on. I ran the race in a 5-person team, light division, and I highly recommend running the event in the team category. This is probably the only marathon that has a team category that specifies that all team members finish together! I imagine that other team events just take the sum/average of team member times. The team together concept was appropriate considering we were running to honor the death march, emphasizing the good of the group over the good of the individual, ensuring that we left no runner behind. Also it was fun to be able to run with friends for the duration of the race. We managed to finish the race in 4 hours and 20 minutes, which was good enough for second place in our division!

The course itself was challenging but not insane. Bear in mind that I'm from Colorado, so I'm used to big hills. The course was set in the Chihuahuan Desert, which was both austere and beautiful. It was on dirt roads for the most part, with some sections on paved roads, and a 2-mile stretch on loose, sandy soil (the "sand pit") around miles 21-22. The temperature was probably 75 degrees by the time we finished; pretty hot for a marathon, but at least it was a dry heat! We were told to bring a bandanna for dust. Luckily the wind wasn't too bad, and you could soak the bandanna in water at the aid station for a refreshing, cool, watery pat on the face between aid stations.

The temperature at the start was already over 60, so I was concerned about overheating, but there was a consistent breeze that helped keep me cool throughout. I ran in normal running attire: regular running shoes, shorts, wicking top, visor, and shades. The visor and shades are pretty critical; the sun is quite bright out there. And a generous dollop of sun screen should go without saying, and should go everywhere. I felt that I did not need to run in trail shoes or attach gaiters, and for the sand pits and a few rockier sections of the course, the regular shoes were fine. The soldiers have to march in full combat gear, including boots, which looked very hot and uncomfortable. Props to them!

The sandy bit was certainly the slowest, toughest part of the course. The big hill from miles 7-13 was challenging as well, but the grade there was not too severe. The sand pit is located at about mile 21 or 22, which automatically makes it tougher due to accumulated fatigue, and the going is slow and hilly through that section. The trick was just to shorten my gait and plug on through.

We slept on base the night before in the base gym. Get there early if you want a cot to sleep on! We got to the gym about 5 p.m. and the cots were all gone. There are ample camping grounds on base and they are closer to the starting area then the gym. You miss out on the shower though! The pre-race dinner was very good, and we were able to catch a screening of "The Great Raid," which was a movie about the US forces breaking out the Bataan survivors from their POW camp 3 years after they were captured. Overall I recommend staying on base if possible.

It's really difficult to comprehend what these soldiers went through, and yes, running a marathon seems insignificant to their travails. However I think that the old survivors really get a kick out of us being there and honoring their legacy and hardships. Meeting some of them and just shaking their hands was the highlight of the event for me. Those brave old soldiers aren't going to be around forever. If you're thinking about running this race, don't delay. Do it now. Be there to shake their hands and let them know that they may have been forgotten once, but never again.

This was my first "marathon." I did the military version, which meant carrying a 45-pound rucksack. It was truly one of the most difficult things I have done. Although I did not run it (and walked it instead), my father did run it. He has done over 100 marathons and he said it was the most difficult one he has ever done. My hat is off to all who participated and I look forward to doing it again.

I did the 15.2-mile event - not the entire 26.2 - although I don't know for sure but it seemed like it was less than 15.2. Nonetheless, it was a very challenging event. It was more challenging than I expected for the "half." The course had a lot of inclines and then the winds kicked in. The "sandpit" was how it had been described. Volunteers were great and aid stations were well stocked with fruit, water, Gatorade and even homemade trail mix at one. There are few spectators on the course because of the rugged nature of the course - through dirt and sand trails, very little on pavement. However, there were spectators at the start and finish with many veterans present to send us off and bring us in. It was cold in the morning but it quickly became warm once the sun came out. I have absolute respect for those who did the entire 26.2, which I understand is even more difficult - especially those in the "heavy" division (carrying the 35-lb. backpack) in full military fatigues and boots. The nice thing about this event is that everyone can finish if they want because there is no "cut off" time. Most importantly, this event is to recognize and remember the Bataan veterans who endured so much. Everything else in this event is secondary. I will likely return next year, but I will prepare better and shoot to finish 26.2!

My grandfather, Reynaldo "Buffalo" Gallegos, was a member of the 200th Coast Artillery out of Santa Fe and survived Bataan. If he had quit, I simply would not be here today. Yes, the course is tough, but it's one very small way for me to show my sincere gratitude.

I am not much of a history buff, but when I first read about the Bataan Memorial Death March, I knew I wanted that to count as my NM marathon. As the website stated, read up before you participate totally to understand what the march is about, and truly to appreciate its meaning. I read several books and was amazed at how much the POWs were forced to endure. I entered the civilian heavy weight division to slow me down to closer to my wife's pace. This sounded like a good idea until reality sunk in on how much 35 lbs. feels like after carrying it for several hours. I purchased a small backpack from Cabelas, filled it with 35 pounds of sand, double bagged and sealed with duct tape. I added some cushioning to the straps and affixed a rope to the back pack so I could lift up every now and then to relieve the pressure on my shoulders.

It was a warm day coming from up north but the wind helped. It also hurt since you had to make sure you drank enough since you did not feel like you were sweating. We wore running shoes without gaiters, which worked out fine, except for the forewarned blister issue. Well worn hiking boots may have worked better, but we went with what we knew. Walking through the sand was tolerable. It definitely was a challenge, but you couldn't help but be humbled by the amputees that also participated. They along with the honored veterans present were what made this a very special day. The F117A flyover at the beginning was a bonus. Good food before and afterwards. The only negative things I can say are that a medallion at the end rather than dog tags beforehand would have been a more prized memory, and the long wait for a massage made us decide to go without.

Words cannot describe how awesome this marathon is. The support is amazing and well organized, and everyone says hello. It's sad to shake those survivors' hands and thank them when you are doing something so insignificant like 26.2 miles. Not for the faint of heart, your would-be marathoner. I met many many people this 2008 run, who felt that because they could run other marathons in sub-4 hour times that they should do fine on this one, and they were sadly mistaken. I recommend for anyone to come out and do this, as I am a 4th-time, 4-years-in-a-row participant - already looking forward to next year. I highly encourage anyone to do this, especially if you are out of shape. It makes it more fun that way. ;-)

The name says it all: Bataan Memorial Death March. This was my 18th marathon, and by far the most punishing. Once I accepted the fact that this was more of a trail run endurance event and not a marathon road race, I enjoyed myself and the event. By far the majority of participants were military, but there were still a significant number of civilian runners, and we were made to feel welcome. The tribute to the war veterans was very moving. Overall, I recommend the event. It was well organized and supported. I will say the only negative is the absence of a finisher's medal. The token dog tag given as part of the pick up package is a nice gift, but it doesn't take the place of a finisher's medal. The finish lacked some of the excitement that most marathons have had and I think that is partly due to the absence of a finisher's medal. I overheard one finisher say, "What do we get when we finish? We get to stop running."

The review from last year parallels my own. I felt compelled to run this challenging marathon to render honor to all our former and current service members.

This year's event had a record attendance of close to 4,400 runners/marchers. I entered the civilian light division but then got jealous during the opening ceremony that I couldn't be with the military marchers: they were in full uniforms with 35-pound backpacks. Once on the course, I was glad I was in shorts and without a heavy load on my back.

Talking to the surviving 18 Bataan survivors and the 30+ Wounded Warriors of the Iraq-Afghanistan wars left me in tears at the start. Talk about heroes. Most civilians complain of high gasoline prices but make no other sacrifices for the current wars, and here we have 20-30-something-year-olds with missing limbs marching this challenging course.

This is no easy course. The fastest runner ran a 3:09. The second-place runner ran a 3:25. It's uphill from the 8th-12th mile and sugar-sandy in
the 20-21st mile.

The original Bataan survivors had to march over 65 miles through the jungles of the Philippines. Many didn't make it. All they hoped for was to survive the ordeal. All I hoped for today was to finish this ordeal.

The Army did a great job organizing the event. My only complaint? Ha, that they serve a better beer besides Bud and Bud Light after the event!

I drove to this event from Arizona, and like many others who drove to this event, camped free near the start point with a few other hundred runners and their families.

I will try to do this one again next year. The honor of being around war survivors is a sacred feeling few can truly experience. That is why this marathon is not just a marathon, but a memorial event for all our service members, both past and present.

This will echo things that others have already said, but I will say them anyway. After 15 states and 21 marathons, it was unlike anything that had come before. For the most part this is a military event and I felt extremely privileged to be part of it. After a day of having direct interaction with our active service members before, during and after the March, I am speechless over the quality and dedication of these individuals. Our country is in capable hands.

Meeting the Bataan vets and learning of their horrific journey has left an indelibe impression burnt onto my soul. Some have sacrificed all, and I felt so humbled in the presence of these living legends. The morning roll call and ceremony left all of us silent and reverent before the start. I won't go into detail; I recommend you go and experience it for yourself. I actually held it together pretty well until the disabled marchers from Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq took their places at the starting line... then I cracked.

Oh yeah, I did run a marathon in the civilian light division, but that almost seemed inconsequential. The reality, though, is that this is a unique little marathon that is well run, supported and planned. The course is as advertised and was amongst the toughest marathon courses that I have run. This is my first and probably only 5-star rating mainly because I could not give more.

The small clustered crowds that were in attendance were as enthusiastic as I have encountered, I think mainly because they really "get" what this event is all about. The finish is incedible as well when the Bataan vets quietly and softly shake your hand and thank you for running this race in their honor and memory. At that moment one is kind of at a loss as to what to say or do to a superstar. I eased down onto my knees and bowed several times in reverence.... I will never forget.