WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (Army News Service, Dec. 13, 2006) - Registration is now open for the 2007 Bataan Memorial Death March, to be held March 25 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging trek through the high desert terrain conducted in honor of the heroic servicemembers who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.
Participants may choose either the 26.2-mile route or the 15-mile route.
The 26.2-mile march starts on the Army installation's main post, crosses hilly terrain, winds around a small mountain and returns to the finish line through sandy desert trails and washes. The elevation varies from about 4,100 to 5,300 feet. The memorial march is not a sanctioned marathon.
The event is open to active-duty and reserve-component Soldiers, ROTC or JROTC cadets, retirees and civilians. Participants may march individually or in teams, in either heavy or light divisions.
Military personnel marching in any military category must wear full field gear. Civilian marchers in any category should wear attire appropriate for a road march through desert terrain. Marchers entered in a heavy division category must carry a 35-pound rucksack.
Awards will be presented to the top two finishers in each age division in each category.
<b>Team categories</b>
Teams must consist of five people, all of whom must cross the finish line together. There are no age divisions within the team categories. Team registration costs $200.
Military team categories are: Male Military Light Team, Male Military Heavy Team, Female Military Light Team, Female Military Heavy Team, Coed Military Light Team, Coed Military Heavy Team, National Guard Light Team, National Guard Heavy Team, ROTC Light Team, ROTC Heavy Team and JROTC Light Team.
For those not in the military, team categories are: Civilian Male Light Team, Civilian Male Heavy Team, Civilian Female Light Team, Civilian Coed Light Team and Civilian Coed Heavy Team.
<b>Individual categories</b>
Individual registration is $50. Categories for military members are: Male Military Light, Male Military Heavy, Female Military Light and Female Military Heavy. Age divisions in each military category are: 19 and younger, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 and older.
For non military participants, the individual categories are: Male Light, Male Heavy, Female Light and Female Heavy. Age division in each of the non-military individual categories are: 19 and younger, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and older.
<b>Honorary march</b>
The honorary march is for those who want to participate but do not want to attempt the longer, more difficult route. Cost is $50.
The approximately 15-mile course starts on the Army installation's main post and returns to the finish line through sandy desert trails and washes. Categories are individual male or female. No awards are presented for the honorary march.
<b>Registration deadlines</b>
Deadline for online registration is midnight March 18. Late online registration begins at 12:01 a.m. March 19 through midnight, March 22. Cost for late online registration increases to $100 for individuals and $400 for teams.
Mail-in registration forms are available by calling (505) 678-1256 or may be downloaded at <a href="http://www.bataanmarch.com"target=_blank> www.bataanmarch.com</a>. All entry forms sent by mail must be postmarked no later than March 11.
All registered participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt, commemorative dog tag, commemorative timing chip, certificate, pre-event continental breakfast and post-event meal.
For information about the march or to request a mail-in form call the White Sands Missile Range Community Recreation Division at (505) 678-1256. Questions and comments may be e-mailed to bataan@wsmr.army.mil.
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