[vc_column][minti_image img="19193" align="center"][minti_spacer height="25"][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading="- Bataan Memorial Death March -" main_heading_color="#dd3333" main_heading_font_family="font_family:Open Sans|font_call:Open+Sans|variant:600" main_heading_style="font-weight:600;" main_heading_font_size="desktop:30px;" margin_design_tab_text=""]
More than a marathon, the [Bataan Memorial Death March] is a tribute to our military service people during WWII and now. Here are five things to know about the 2018 Challenge.
For many, recreation and travel are about creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The Bataan Memorial Death March is one of those experiences.
More than a marathon, the Bataan Memorial Death March, is held on March 25th, memorializes the 70,000 American and Filipino troops – including the men of the New Mexico 200th Coast Artillery National Guard regiment – who surrendered in the Philippines on April 9th, 1942. About half would not return home.
Here are (5) five things to know about the 2018 Challenge and if you’re up to it:
- What Is It?
The Bataan Memorial Death March is a 26-mile, challenging March through the high desert terrain of the White Sands Missile Range. The memorial march is conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health, and, in many cases, their very lives.
Despite its difficulty – or maybe due to its difficulty -- it’s very popular. As of late February 2018, more than 6,700 marchers had registered for this year’s March.
- What Are The Divisions?
Participants can register as Military or Civilian, in Heavy or Light divisions, as Individuals or Teams.
Only participants with a valid military ID can register into military divisions. Participants entered into military divisions must wear their military uniforms during the March. Retired military may enter the military divisions, but participants must be in accordance with current military uniform standards. Military participants who do not want to wear their uniform during the March are welcome to register into the civilian division. Any civilian is welcome to register into the civilian division.
If entered into a light division, participants are not required to carry a 35-pound pack during the march. If entered into a heavy division participants are required to carry a 35-pound pack during the march. If a team is registered in a heavy division, all team members must comply with the 35-pound pack rule.
- Where Is It?
The White Sands Missile Range is about 26 miles East of Las Cruces, which is about a 31-minute drive. The March begins at the Bataan Ceremony Field, continuing along Aberdeen Avenue, before heading into the mountains.
- Can My Family Root Me On?
Because of the rugged nature of the course (much is along trails and washes), spectators are not allowed on the route. The safest and most comfortable place for spectators is at either the start or finish line.
- How Long Do I Have To Finish The March?
ALL marchers must be off the route at 8:00 p.m.
[/ultimate_heading][minti_spacer height="50"][minti_button link="http://bit.ly/2sRWXBC" target="_blank" color="red" size="full"]Registration Now Open![/minti_button][minti_spacer height="50"][minti_headline weight="fontweight-600" transform="transform-uppercase"]Registration Closes March 4th[/minti_headline][ult_countdown datetime="2018/03/04 00:00:00" countdown_opts="sweek,sday,shr,smin,ssec" br_style="solid" br_size="23" br_color="#81d742"][minti_spacer height="75"][minti_divider style="3"][minti_iconbox icon="fa-calendar-plus-o" title="March 25"][/minti_iconbox][minti_divider style="2" margin="15px 0 15px 0"][minti_iconbox icon="fa-map-marker" title="FMWR-Bataan, P.O. Box 400, White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002"][/minti_iconbox][minti_divider style="2" margin="15px 0 15px 0"][minti_iconbox icon="fa-globe" title="Learn More Click Here" url="http://bit.ly/2Ch5oKP"][/minti_iconbox][minti_spacer height="25"][minti_divider style="5" margin="15px 0 15px 0"][minti_spacer height="25"][minti_headline color="#dd3333" weight="fontweight-600"]Route Information[/minti_headline][minti_image img="19199"][minti_spacer height="75"]