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May 10, 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 71 to 81]

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Raymond, Ruben Medina from Los Angeles, Ca. (4/3/2008) "26.2 miles.... It's the very least I could do." (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
Danny Swindle from Newport, MI (4/3/2008) "Hard course but inspiring" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 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.
Z. K. from El Paso, Texas (3/31/2008) "Absolutely awesome." (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. ;-)
S. P. from Flower Mound, TX (3/31/2008) "An amazing endurance event... maybe not a marathon" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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."
C. S. from Tucson (3/30/2008) "This isn't just a marathon, but a memorial event" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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.
T. S. from Seattle, WA (3/30/2007) "I went, I saw... I was humbled." (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
B. M. from Missouri (3/27/2007) "Absolutely Incredible" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Absolutely incredible experience. Not one participant complained; the spirit of the march was present everywhere. To see the respect of and show respect to the survivors was amazing. Gorgeous march.
M. V. from Roswell, NM (3/27/2007) "The Devil's Course" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the first time I ran Bataan, and it certainly will not be the last. I came in with 24 other guys from NMMI, and we all did not expect this. The terrain differences, the elevation fluctuations, and the unrelenting heat qualifies it for more than 'just a marathon' My goal in the race was to finish under 4 hours since my previous marathon time was 3 1/2 for the one in Maryland. It was a 4:12, just 12 minutes over my goal, but I did get silver in my age group. The uphill journeys seemed eternal, and the last mile is awfully depressing. You can see the finish line, but you need to go around some obstacles for about a mile before the trail leads straight to the line. The only good part of the race was putting my right foot over the line knowing that I could finally stop. The hardest part of the race is actually the days after the race, it's awfully difficult to even walk normally. Then again, you do acquire a strong sense of pride. Who else can run 26.2 miles through the WSMR in that terrain and that heat and that elevation change? Bataan was relentless and at some points it seemed as though the devil himself laid out the course. It does get lonely if you're in an individual category and an avid runner, people do spread out. Overall, Bataan was a punishing course, but in the end, when the foot crosses the line, relief takes over all of the pain! I will certainly be back in 2008!
M. D. from Roswell, NM/Lubbock, TX (3/26/2007) "Magnificent event" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have participated in Bataan twice now in the Military Light category. It is, to say the least, an unforgettable experience. In my first year (2006) I was rather unprepared and had not trained enough for the event, but the thought of those that did not have the option of stopping, as well as determination, kept me from flagging down one of the many ATVs ready to pick up tired/injured marchers who would not complete the course. I cannot say enough positive things about the event. There was a certain buzz of energy about it, with everyone there for a common goal. Nothing can replace that feeling I got both years (2006 and 2007) when crossing that finish line. This year I walked right up to the real Death March survivor sitting near the finish line and the first words out of my mouth before he could say anything were, "Thank you, sir." He then thanked me in response, but those original survivors are what this event is all about. That is, in the end, what it is for: To honor their sacrifice for future generations, and to show them we appreciate them (no mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam... the least we can do is a yearly marathon in their honor). I'll stop while I'm ahead, but I think everyone should participate in this event. I will definitely be back for years to come (job allowing). My only problem is, will I run next year or carry a rucksack?
M. G. from El Paso TX USA (2/25/2007) "The hardest physical challenge I have ever faced!!" (about: 2006) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Today I'm eighteen years-old. For four years, I was in JROTC and involved myself in all that was physical. Easy challenge. One year in track? Too easy; not worth my time. For two years I wrestled. Beyond demanding physically and mentally, but not even close to what is Bataan. I was seventeen years-old when I ran it. My category was the JROTC Team. I can proudly say I was one of those five who gave it their all and won the gold. Winning was only the cherry at the top of my sundae. Just being there is such an awesome and unforgettable experience that I'm looking foward to this year as an individual (heavy, under 19)... although I can't really say that I'm excited abut the sandpit and and the miles following mile fifteen.

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