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May 9, 2024

Bataan Memorial Death March Runner Comments

Back to Bataan Memorial Death March Information & Reviews

Course 4.7

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.2

Number of comments: 115 [displaying comments 91 to 101]

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Jason Mallory from Colorado Springs, Colorado (3/28/2006) "Challenging but worth every minute" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
h. t. from dallas, texas (3/28/2006) "WOW, what a great race" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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.
j. s. from new mexico (3/27/2006) "This will go down as my most memorable run" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
Joseph Smith from El Paso Texas (3/27/2006) "A historical and painful run that is truly a test" (about: 2006) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
D. N. from Lincoln, NE (5/8/2005) "It's a trip - Mts. Sante Fe Tr., Unique Marathon." (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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.
Steven Sisco from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (4/13/2005) "BMDM" (about: 2005) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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!
E. N. from New Mexico (4/8/2005) "More Than A Marathon - It's An Event" (about: 2005) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Memorial March is a unique experience that is so much more than a race. It is a 26.2 mile long ceremony to honor ordinary Americans and Filipinos who achieved the extraordinary. It was quite moving to meet and say thank you to genuine heroes and to remember those who have passed on. The day begins with a roll call of the departed and the presentation of the surrender flag of Bataan. The marchers then file past a small group of Bataan survivors and shake their hands in respect and admiration. In addition, service members who lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan participated in the march. You can see that this is no plain footrace. The march (or race for some) then proceeds through the rugged terrain of southern NM. The course is very well marked and supported. Traffic is not an issue at all. The trail was sandy and rocky in some spots and was partly paved road in others. Demanding... sure, but not impossible. The organization is superb. Enthusiastic volunteers man rest stops every 2 miles, there are medical aid stations every 4 miles, and the US Border Patrol supports the course with agents on ATVs for the last 10 miles. Marcher safety is a primary concern and is well addressed. Finishers receive a certificate of completion and a commemorative dog tag. They are fitting souvenirs. As a race I recommend the march based on its excellent organization. If you're interested in a PR, however, look elsewhere. As an event, I wholeheartly recommend the march to anyone who respects the military services and wishes to honor generations of American heroes. If you feel uncomfortable in a military environment or an unabashedly patriotic setting then you should look for another event. I will be back next year, combat boots and all.
Joshua Tucker from Farmington, New Mexico (3/28/2005) "It was challenging but a good experiance" (about: 2003) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It really makes you think about what the survivors went through when this happened to them.
Dolores (Dee) Dees from Phoenix, Arizona (1/15/2005) "First and only full marathon to date" (about: 2002) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This 57-year old woman walked her first marathon, after just a bit of training in prep for a later hike in the Grand Canyon. Of the two, this was the tougher. But several things kept me going when I started feeling discouraged. Seeing one of the survivors at about the halfway mark inspired me. I realized he hadn't had the choice of whether or not to continue. I had tears in my eyes as I shook his hand. That motivated me. Thinking about my son serving in Afghanistan at the time, and all the physical challenges he had endured during his years at West Point motivated me. But even after all that inspiration, 5 miles before the finish line I felt I just couldn't make it any farther, and I almost got on the truck at one of the last aid stations. As I was unpinning my number to hand to a young soldier, he asked if I was hurt or my feet were blistered. I said 'No, I'm just very, very tired.' He encouraged me to go on and try to finish (assuring me there was no more sand!), which I did. I have always been so grateful to that young soldier (who continually called me "ma'am") for encouraging me to keep going. If I hadn't, I know the minute I was on the truck I would have regretted it. And the feeling of exhilaration I had when I reached the finish line - even though it took me 12 hours - has never left me. My only regret was that the photographer had already gone. The feeling of camaraderie and encouragement was so inspiring and motivating, that I plan to do the walk again. But I'll train better next time!
S. R. from EL PASO, TEXAS (10/16/2004) "Everyone should do it once" (about: 2004) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I did this event in 2000 and 2004 in military uniform. My only problems came from blisters. As previously mentioned, there is a tremendous feeling of camaraderie on the march. It is something everyone should do at least once, particularly while the real Death March survivors are still around.

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