It was an honor to be able to run this marathon for the Bataan survivors, and meet the few remaining men who went through so much and served with honor. The course is tough, train hard for this run. The march is not for the weak or untrained. The "Sandpit" is rightfully named. This march/run is nothing compared to the march they endured. The support along the course was the best I ve ever seen. The GI's who marched where fantastic. I m a retired AF Master Sergeant; once again it was an honor to run the course.

As someone who has run several marathons and is the relative of two Death March survivors, the Bataan Memorial March is a highlight of the year for me. The camaraderie shared between all the participants, volunteers, spectators and veterans truly honors the spirit of the event.

The course is just as advertised, a mix of asphault, dirt, rock and sand, with a "little" hill thrown in for good measure! Do your hill and weight training; I didn't, and I could really tell.

The aid stations were well manned, courteous and very helpful. I stopped at one to talk to family members and mentioned to one of them that my feet were sore. A medical volunteer overheard our conversation and came over to check on me. Thanks for the attention!

For me the highlight of the March was just after it finished. Several veterans were greeting finishers, and I met two who knew my grandfather and great uncle. It was a moment both humbling and uplifting, and erased away any pain I felt at that time. The mutual respect shown between the original marchers and the memorial marchers was quite moving. It was a hard race, but nothing compared to what the honorees endured. Highly recommended!

What an experience! Not to be missed, but not for the faint of heart! The sand and wind never let up! The hills were also challenging to say the least! BUT, the scenery was incredible, and support non-stop! It was VERY WELL ORGANIZED and SUPPORTED! I was encouraged by all, both military and civilian. The base personnel were the greatest! And having an ex-POW shake my hand and thank me just brought me to tears! I can't say enough wonderful things about this physically and emotionally challenging marathon. DON'T MISS IT!

This was my 62nd marathon. It was the hardest one I've ever done, because I picked the Civilian Heavy Division. But the pain was a minor inconvenience compared to the experience and privilege of participating in this event. I don't recall ever starting a marathon with tears in my eyes - the roll call of the departed, the presentation of colors, the absolute silence and respect from spectators during the national anthem, the incredible honor of gently shaking the hand of men who survived those dark days of 1942 - all of this at the start set the tone for a patriotic day. From the wild celebration as the Blackhawk passed overhead flying Old Glory to the discouragement of seeing yet another hill, the emotions ran up and down all day. But the one constant was the feeling that we were all in our own way making a difference, honoring those who served. AND those who continue to serve, for you are surrounded by our military men and women throughout the course, especially if you are in the back of the pack (where I reside!). This one made a lifetime of memories.

For my first marathon I think that this one has really set the pace. I entered it in the military light category. I had no idea what I was in for. Although I am an avid fitness freak and body builder, I was in no way trained up for this. My main goal was just to finish - and I DID!!! About the 7-hour mark is when I finished. But this was nothing in comparison to what the real heroes had to endure. My heart felt thanks to them for their service and their commitment to freedom, for what they endured in order to make it home. That made this seem like a walk in the park. Again, thank you to the real heroes of our military service and our wonderful nation.

Wow, this the race you want to do and set a "worst" PR, and be proud of it. No spectators were allowed on the course, but you got to run with a bunch of military guys and gals in their high spirits. Their camaraderie and support for each other really boost your energy level. The course was challenging, with dirt road, sand pits and long slow hills. The support were really top-notch, and the race fee was a bargain. This is not a race for the first-timers, but great for those who want something different.

This was the most well organized marathon I have run. The military and volunteers supported and encouraged all runners, regardless of their military status; something you don't always see these days with the many "team" sponsored participants who only encourage their own. The course was very difficult; it included the well known sand pits, hills and wind... often all at once. Running through the Chihuahuan Desert is a tremendous treat, but it will eat your lunch if you take the conditions lightly. Prepare for some dehydration, swollen fingers, and dry cracked lips.... I am an experienced marathon runner who knows how to prepare for marathons and I was still stunned by my body's reaction to the severe conditions.

I believe what makes this event so remarkable for any runner was the opportunity to finish the race and shake hands with some Bataan survivors. It brings tears to your eyes when these men in their 80's are thanking you for running in their honor.... You feel so humbled accepting a "thank you" from a Bataan Death March survivor, knowing what they went through.

We brought 17 high school JROTC cadets to this run and it was an eye-opener for the students. History is taught in the classroom and has to be repetitive to make the kids learn. The history of the Bataan Death March will be forever etched in the students memory as they retell their ordeal and talk about their emotions from the marathon and events surrounding it. I thank the veterans for openly talking with our kids about life and courage. I thank the other runners for welcoming these youngsters into their world and sharing stories. I truly thank the students for enduring the 6 months of training and fully committing to the race in honor of the veterans, and not for self glory. Pride is not just placing; it is finishing and caring for the survivors of a truly historical time in history.

It was a trip.

The drive (Nebraska - New Mexico, following the Santa Fe Trail through New Franklin, MO, Denver, CO, Trinidad, CO, Taos, NM, to Sante Fe) was one to remember. Mountains and desert and 3,000 miles in 4 days makes it a road trip marathon too. Had to read, ?Death Comes for the Archbishop" by Willa Cather to make sense of it all - Sante Fe and the New Mexico experience.

Dinner was great, talked with New York guys that run this every year - it?s a repeat thing. Suggest gaiters - now I do too because you can only keep so much sand and rocks in your shoes before it hurts. Bring extra socks because even when you?re cool, all that foot action makes hot feet.

Hospitality was great with a gym padded floor (pad- thin as paper to protect the floor not runner?s bones) - bring cots. Military guys shaving each other?s heads all night, but courteous to everyone - even to me, a civilian.

Impressive Bataan ceremony in a spectacular backdrop of tilted up musical organ mountains at dawn?s early light. Shook hands with a Death March hero - tears flowing from everyone. Howitzer start - ran with Italian girl who misses her husband who just shipped to Korea. He doesn?t run marathons but he caught her in Italy and brought her to America and she?s proud to be here - said she doesn?t know Sophia Loren personally.

Ran in the middle of a gaggle of girls. Shirts said ?cross country is a mind thing. - We?re all insane.? They ran together and were thereafter known as the insane girls from Albuquerque - always good for a laugh. Ran behind a guy with run-down boots and asked him, ?Can?t this man?s Army afford good footwear?" He said, ?You know Claudius the Roman?? I said, "Not personally, but I?ve heard. He said, ?I was born with the same foot problem and I?ve got something to prove.? Then he took off up the hill.

Up the steep hill always a Geof Gallaway walker taking an interval - nice to walk with and run with.

Near the top of the hill ran into the middle of a military squad; girl boss drives those guys on. Then down and down and down the hill and through the most disgusting sand pit imaginable. Two steps - no-go but a big ol' guy with big feet just floated over it to pass everyone.

Great race, 29th state, 31st marathon, pleasant surroundings and nice people everywhere with good organization and just the right temperature to run and talk and feel good about being in the middle of all that military testosterone. I recommend this run. I?ll do it again some time.

I did the heavy division. I also did my homework on the course. Coming from Ohio, I wanted to be prepared. I trained HARD for the hills that they were talking about. Around mile 20, I turned to a person I was passing, and said, 'Where are these hills they are talking about?' They didn't believe me that I was serious. So hills aren't bad if you train for them. Also wind was blowing hard ALL DAY. I did a lot of drafting. Worst part was sand. Like walking in beach... away from the water where it is all loose and hard to walk. 'Sand pit' is even worse. I followed the men's health mag. training program, and added some hill workouts of my own. That was a good idea!