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Marathon Details - Bataan Memorial Death March

North America Marathons > USA > NM > White Sands Missile Range > Bataan Memorial Death March

Bataan Memorial Death March

White Sands Missile Range, NM USA

March 22, 2025

http://www.bataanmarch.com

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Race Details

A challenging 26.2-mile march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

Contact Information

Name:
Address:	Attention: DMWR-Bataan P.O. Box 400 White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002
Phone Number:	505-678-1256
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (115)

Course 4.7

Organization 4.7

Spectators 4.2

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Number of comments: 115 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 12 > ]

B. K. from Edmonton,AB,Canada (3/24/2024) "My Bataan number 9 and counting..." (about: 2024) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon offers everything that every marathoner hates: hills, rocks, sand, dust, heat, wind and sun. The course is unique and very challenging. The start was crowded and slightly chaotic in the dark. The menu at the stations was limited to water, gatorade, oranges and green bananas. There were no energy supplements. The biggest surprise was the finish line: a bottle of water and NO FREE FOOD for finishers. This is something I have never experienced in my long distance running life. No matter what, I will be back for my 10th Bataan...
C. S. from Florida (3/18/2024) "interesting" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Indeed it is a special event and I would recommend you to do it. I did it in 2024 with a 40 pound backpack and to play to the event I would recommend you to do it that way. Now for the however: of all the races I've done this one was the worse run one. Website never said what time it starts or until last second where the packet pick up was. The solders directing parking did not give directions and there were no signs where to go. At finish line nobody checked if the bag was over 35 pounds, no free food for participants only food trucks for $ and no sign where parking was (quite far away). The event, again, was cool, albeit I thought not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.
B. K. from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (4/1/2023) "My Bataan Death March number 8..." (about: 2023) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am back and I will be coming back again and again. This is not a simple race, this is an unforgettable event in memory of those who did nor come back home from WW2 in Pacific...
T. R. from Nevada (3/25/2023) "Honorable, yet some need to correct their results" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It's truly about honor and integrity. That's why it's so disappointing when PHOTOS SHOW when someone does NOT carry a pack weighing 35 pounds per your category requirements, and yet you do not question your results as a first or even second-place finisher of the Individual Civiluan Female HEAVY Category; others struggled more and are deserving. Additionally it's sad that although notified in a timely manner, both the timing organization and the event organizers did not address the disputed results.
Scott Saunders from Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (7/26/2022) "Awesome experience for a great cause!" (about: 2015) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I participated in the 2015 Bataan Death March and it was a grueling course. However, more importantly than the personal satisfaction of completing it, was to be able to meet the POWs that are still present and be able to honor the fallen warriors that had to suffer through the actual event. Additionally, the joint camaraderie that you see amongst military and civilians from various locations that showed up to participate. This was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.
B. K. from Edmonton, AB, Canada (3/31/2019) "Unique and unforgettable event.." (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Bataan 2019 was my 7th run in White Sands Missile Range. Why am I coming back to Bataan? Because this is more than just a marathon...
C. M. from Alamogordo, NM (3/21/2019) "Mind challenging" (about: 2019) 4-5 previous marathons \| 4-5 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've only done one other race besides Bataan. I've learned that you have to be head strong when doing this march by yourself. It is so much easier to complete when you have someone with you.
W. W. from Palmdale, California USA (4/25/2018) "Back 2 Bataan" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 INTRODUCTION: I am a race-walker with a median marathon completion time of 5:18:48. The Bataan Memorial Death March was my forty-ninth 26.2-miler accomplished. There were four individual divisions to choose from: Civilian-Light, Civilian-Heavy, Military-Light, and Military-Heavy. The Heavy divisions were required to carry 35 pound packs or rucksacks. Military personnel were required to march in full battle dress uniform. I participated in the Civilian-Light division, but chose to treat this event as a march; that is, I wore boots, BDU trousers, and carried a Camelback containing 100 ounces of fluid, change of socks, foot powder, moleskin, sunscreen, etc. COURSE: It was a great day for a march, at least at the beginning: temperature just before the 7:05 race start was in the mid-fifties with trace wind. With the sun starting to rise upon the conclusion of the opening ceremony, we set out on our journey, with the initial two miles at base headquarters mostly on paved roads, initially heading east into the sun for the first mile, but then turning north, which would be our general direction for the next twelve miles. Just before passing by the WSMR Museum and Missile Park, at mile 2.1, the road surface changed to unpaved of varying consistency. Some amongst us did our best to find the harder surfaces in order to improve our times. The road condition would stay this way for the next six miles. We would face our first grade just past mile 7, where we climbed 150 feet until we reached Owen Road one mile later, at which point we returned to a paved surface for the next 3 1/2 miles. The most difficult part of the course began just past mile 8 1/2, where we began our 4 1/2 mile, 1200 foot ascent around Mineral Hill, with the road surface turning to unpaved and soft just before mile 12. A little past the halfway mark, we reached our highest point and began our net southbound journey back to the base. From the higher elevation, we occasionally were able to see HQ, a reminder of how far we would have to go in order to finish. Finishing our circuit around Mineral Hill, we travelled down the same road we ascended on until reaching mile 19 1/2, where we would once again resume and complete our march off-road. About a half mile later, we entered The Sandpit. The road surface was considerably softer for the next 1 1/2 miles, but not ankle deep. After completing The Sandpit, the road surface hardened. The only deterrent was the southerly wind blowing against us and the warm weather that had reached the high-seventies. ORGANIZATION: The staff and volunteers who conducted the In-Processing were efficient. Those of us who arrived early benefitted from not standing in line outside in the desert heat. The opening ceremony was an incomparable solemn affair, especially the roll call of three Bataan Death March survivors present, and of those dozen or so who passed away in the past year--a reminder for those future participants who want to meet the true heroes of the event better do so very soon. FANS: Except for the start and finish, none to speak of. After all, we were on a military installation. CONCLUSION: Most civilians choose to treat this event as a trail marathon; nothing wrong with that, except there are several trail marathons in this country but there is only one march. Those who put on the boots, BDU trousers, and packs will not only get a sense of what our heroes endured in Bataan, but also gain an appreciation for those who serve in the field of battle every day.
Robert Elkins from West Palm Beach, Fllorida (4/11/2018) "It was the hardest and best marathon I have ever" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 From the check in to the finish line, this marathon was the best I have ever done. Meeting the survivors at check in and at the start, very humbling. It beat out the Marine Corp marathon in DC. The aid stations were fully stocked and ready to accommodate you. But, for this one you better be ready. The sand, hills, or as we call them mountains in Florida, 40 mph winds with dust blowing and more sand. I live in Florida so the heat did not bother me. I was glad I trained at the beach because of the sand. The soldiers I met along the way were super. Most with there 40-45 lb sacks, I can't imagine marching 26 miles in those conditions with that much weight on my back. They are true heroes. This is a must do marathon.
B. K. from Alberta, Canada (4/6/2018) "Hills, sand, sun and great race..." (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Bataan 2018 was my 6th run in the White Sands. This year I give 5 - 2 = 3 for the organization for two reasons: 1. There were not enough portable washrooms at the start (very long lineups) and most of them became 'paperless' even before the beginning of the opening ceremony. Disaster! 2. The first sharp left turn after mile 1 at Aberdeen was either not marked or marshalls were absent. The leaders of the run kept going straight and others followed until after several minutes the mistake was recognized. I made additional 2 miles or more and lost more than 10 minutes. This should be corrected in the final results. The rest of the race and the events at the finish line were as always carried out with military precision. Runners, be prepared for chilly start, windy and hot day, beautiful course with deep sand, gravel and steep hills, fantastic volunteers and unforgettable atmosphere of the event. Thank you, I will be back...

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 12 > ]



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B. K. from Edmonton,AB,Canada (3/24/2024) "My Bataan number 9 and counting..." (about: 2024) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon offers everything that every marathoner hates: hills, rocks, sand, dust, heat, wind and sun. The course is unique and very challenging. The start was crowded and slightly chaotic in the dark. The menu at the stations was limited to water, gatorade, oranges and green bananas. There were no energy supplements. The biggest surprise was the finish line: a bottle of water and NO FREE FOOD for finishers. This is something I have never experienced in my long distance running life. No matter what, I will be back for my 10th Bataan...
C. S. from Florida (3/18/2024) "interesting" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Indeed it is a special event and I would recommend you to do it. I did it in 2024 with a 40 pound backpack and to play to the event I would recommend you to do it that way. Now for the however: of all the races I've done this one was the worse run one. Website never said what time it starts or until last second where the packet pick up was. The solders directing parking did not give directions and there were no signs where to go. At finish line nobody checked if the bag was over 35 pounds, no free food for participants only food trucks for $ and no sign where parking was (quite far away). The event, again, was cool, albeit I thought not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.
B. K. from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (4/1/2023) "My Bataan Death March number 8..." (about: 2023) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am back and I will be coming back again and again. This is not a simple race, this is an unforgettable event in memory of those who did nor come back home from WW2 in Pacific...
T. R. from Nevada (3/25/2023) "Honorable, yet some need to correct their results" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It's truly about honor and integrity. That's why it's so disappointing when PHOTOS SHOW when someone does NOT carry a pack weighing 35 pounds per your category requirements, and yet you do not question your results as a first or even second-place finisher of the Individual Civiluan Female HEAVY Category; others struggled more and are deserving. Additionally it's sad that although notified in a timely manner, both the timing organization and the event organizers did not address the disputed results.
Scott Saunders from Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (7/26/2022) "Awesome experience for a great cause!" (about: 2015) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I participated in the 2015 Bataan Death March and it was a grueling course. However, more importantly than the personal satisfaction of completing it, was to be able to meet the POWs that are still present and be able to honor the fallen warriors that had to suffer through the actual event. Additionally, the joint camaraderie that you see amongst military and civilians from various locations that showed up to participate. This was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.
B. K. from Edmonton, AB, Canada (3/31/2019) "Unique and unforgettable event.." (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Bataan 2019 was my 7th run in White Sands Missile Range. Why am I coming back to Bataan? Because this is more than just a marathon...
C. M. from Alamogordo, NM (3/21/2019) "Mind challenging" (about: 2019) 4-5 previous marathons \| 4-5 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've only done one other race besides Bataan. I've learned that you have to be head strong when doing this march by yourself. It is so much easier to complete when you have someone with you.
W. W. from Palmdale, California USA (4/25/2018) "Back 2 Bataan" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 INTRODUCTION: I am a race-walker with a median marathon completion time of 5:18:48. The Bataan Memorial Death March was my forty-ninth 26.2-miler accomplished. There were four individual divisions to choose from: Civilian-Light, Civilian-Heavy, Military-Light, and Military-Heavy. The Heavy divisions were required to carry 35 pound packs or rucksacks. Military personnel were required to march in full battle dress uniform. I participated in the Civilian-Light division, but chose to treat this event as a march; that is, I wore boots, BDU trousers, and carried a Camelback containing 100 ounces of fluid, change of socks, foot powder, moleskin, sunscreen, etc. COURSE: It was a great day for a march, at least at the beginning: temperature just before the 7:05 race start was in the mid-fifties with trace wind. With the sun starting to rise upon the conclusion of the opening ceremony, we set out on our journey, with the initial two miles at base headquarters mostly on paved roads, initially heading east into the sun for the first mile, but then turning north, which would be our general direction for the next twelve miles. Just before passing by the WSMR Museum and Missile Park, at mile 2.1, the road surface changed to unpaved of varying consistency. Some amongst us did our best to find the harder surfaces in order to improve our times. The road condition would stay this way for the next six miles. We would face our first grade just past mile 7, where we climbed 150 feet until we reached Owen Road one mile later, at which point we returned to a paved surface for the next 3 1/2 miles. The most difficult part of the course began just past mile 8 1/2, where we began our 4 1/2 mile, 1200 foot ascent around Mineral Hill, with the road surface turning to unpaved and soft just before mile 12. A little past the halfway mark, we reached our highest point and began our net southbound journey back to the base. From the higher elevation, we occasionally were able to see HQ, a reminder of how far we would have to go in order to finish. Finishing our circuit around Mineral Hill, we travelled down the same road we ascended on until reaching mile 19 1/2, where we would once again resume and complete our march off-road. About a half mile later, we entered The Sandpit. The road surface was considerably softer for the next 1 1/2 miles, but not ankle deep. After completing The Sandpit, the road surface hardened. The only deterrent was the southerly wind blowing against us and the warm weather that had reached the high-seventies. ORGANIZATION: The staff and volunteers who conducted the In-Processing were efficient. Those of us who arrived early benefitted from not standing in line outside in the desert heat. The opening ceremony was an incomparable solemn affair, especially the roll call of three Bataan Death March survivors present, and of those dozen or so who passed away in the past year--a reminder for those future participants who want to meet the true heroes of the event better do so very soon. FANS: Except for the start and finish, none to speak of. After all, we were on a military installation. CONCLUSION: Most civilians choose to treat this event as a trail marathon; nothing wrong with that, except there are several trail marathons in this country but there is only one march. Those who put on the boots, BDU trousers, and packs will not only get a sense of what our heroes endured in Bataan, but also gain an appreciation for those who serve in the field of battle every day.
Robert Elkins from West Palm Beach, Fllorida (4/11/2018) "It was the hardest and best marathon I have ever" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 From the check in to the finish line, this marathon was the best I have ever done. Meeting the survivors at check in and at the start, very humbling. It beat out the Marine Corp marathon in DC. The aid stations were fully stocked and ready to accommodate you. But, for this one you better be ready. The sand, hills, or as we call them mountains in Florida, 40 mph winds with dust blowing and more sand. I live in Florida so the heat did not bother me. I was glad I trained at the beach because of the sand. The soldiers I met along the way were super. Most with there 40-45 lb sacks, I can't imagine marching 26 miles in those conditions with that much weight on my back. They are true heroes. This is a must do marathon.
B. K. from Alberta, Canada (4/6/2018) "Hills, sand, sun and great race..." (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Bataan Memorial Death Marchs COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Bataan 2018 was my 6th run in the White Sands. This year I give 5 - 2 = 3 for the organization for two reasons: 1. There were not enough portable washrooms at the start (very long lineups) and most of them became 'paperless' even before the beginning of the opening ceremony. Disaster! 2. The first sharp left turn after mile 1 at Aberdeen was either not marked or marshalls were absent. The leaders of the run kept going straight and others followed until after several minutes the mistake was recognized. I made additional 2 miles or more and lost more than 10 minutes. This should be corrected in the final results. The rest of the race and the events at the finish line were as always carried out with military precision. Runners, be prepared for chilly start, windy and hot day, beautiful course with deep sand, gravel and steep hills, fantastic volunteers and unforgettable atmosphere of the event. Thank you, I will be back...

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Marathon Details - Bataan Memorial Death March