Get your walking and running shoes ready. It is time to start preparing for the 2011 Bataan Memorial Death March to be conducted March 27, at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Training recommendations can be found at www.bataanmarch.com. Runners World Marathon Guide for 2010 lists the Bataan Memorial Death March as runner up for the Most Organized.
"Runners couldn't say enough about the unique experience and superior execution of this race, but what rang out loudest was this piece of advice: Run it now, while you can still shake hands with the WWII vets that the race honors."
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 lives. Participants may choose either the 26.2 mile route or the 15.2 mile route.
THE 26.2-MILE COURSE
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. Elevation varies from about 4,100 to 5,300 feet. The memorial march is not a sanctioned marathon.
The event is open to military (active duty, reserve, National Guard, ROTC, JROTC or retired) and civilian teams and individuals 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.
TEAM CATEGORIES
Teams must consist of five people. All five marchers must cross the finish line together. There are no age divisions within the team categories. The cost to register a team is $275.
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.
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
Cost to register as an individual is $65. There are multiple age divisions in both military and civilian divisions.
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 years of age and younger, 20-29 years of age, 30-39 years of age, 40-49 years of age and 50 years of age and older.
For those not in the military service, 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 years and younger, 20-29 years of age, 30-39 years of age, 40-49 years of age, 50-59 years of age, 60-69 years of age and 70 years of age and older.
The 15-MILE BATAAN HONORARY MARCH
The 15-mile Bataan honorary march is for those who want to participate but do not want to attempt the longer, more difficult route. The cost is $65.
The approximately 15.2 mile course starts on the Army installation's main post and returns to the finish line through sandy desert trails and washes.
Categories are male or female individual marcher. No awards are presented for the honorary march.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Deadline for online registration is midnight (MST) March 20. Late-online registration begins at 12:01 a.m. (MST) March 21 through midnight (MST) March 23. Cost for late on-line registration increases to $130 for individuals and $550 for teams.
Mail-in registration forms can be downloaded from the website at www.bataanmarch.com. All entry forms sent by mail must be postmarked no later than March 12.
All registered participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt, a commemorative dog tag, a commemorative timing chip, a certificate, pre-event continental breakfast and post-event meal.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the march call the White Sands Missile Range Community Events Office at (575) 678-1256 or (575) 678-2887. Questions and comments may be e-mailed to bataan@conus.army.mil. Questions regarding rules may be e-mailed to bataanrules@conus.army.mil.
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