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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 31 to 41]
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S. C. from Portland Oregon USA
(3/23/2013)
"A great history lesson followed by a marathon" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Awesome Suport. Every 2 miles, water, gatoraide, oranges, bananas and medical. AND cots to sit on if you need. STAY on base in the gym. It beats getting up WAY early and driving on base. Gym provides some support networking as well. Survivors ROCK !!! Great getting to talk to them. VERY motivating. I did the 'light' last year, came back for the 'heavy' this year. Both are tough. no doubt about it, but a great accomplishment. | |
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D. M. from Fort Collins, CO
(3/20/2013)
"Evidence that freedom isn't free" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Caution: participating in this marathon will likely result in a mindset reset: - it's a 'march' (not called a race). . . lots of soldiers doing this marathon in boots and full uniforms . . . many in the 'heavy' division - wearing 35 lb packs! - it's not about you and your experience or a finishers medal . . . it's about honoring survivors of the Bataan Death March (and by logical extension to all service members who have sacrificed to ensure freedom for America and her allies . . . from general military hardship and beyond. You'll find it hard to have self-pitty about some marathon discomfort as you see a wounded warrior do the marathon on a prosthesis). A couple observations: - seems like a lot of very unprepared participants . . . and they know they are unprepared and they fully expect to suffer - it's an expected part of their memorial experience. - it's a challenging course with significant elevation, some parts of tough going on deep/loose, sand/fine gravel surface, usually pretty hot and windy towards the end (unless you're fast and beat the heat and wind) - Some of the worst 'suffering' I observed was experienced by the slowest cadet on a competing 5-person ROTC team. (Cadets - you want to be well prepared and not be the slowes one on your team - your life will be pure hell during the whole thing). - the base personnel are very courteous and welcoming - from the base commander (a black female general who had inspirational comments before the documentary film and before the marathon start) to other soldiers and contractors. If you do this race, consider more participation than might be your normal default: - stay on base the night before (you can camp in the park or sleep in the gym) to get a little glimpse of military life - meet some soldiers, college ROTC cadets, etc. while camping and at the group meals - go to the inspirational Bataan Death March documentary movie the night before. - shake hands and speak with one or more of the few living Bataan Death March survivors . . . you'll appreciate the opportunity to thank them for their sacrifice and inspiration | |
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B. C. from Portland, OR
(3/18/2013)
"Great first marathon" (about: 2013)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first ever marathon. I walked it as a civilian light with my dad, civilian heavy. I was very Impressed with the amount of medical and water stops along the way! Very challenging course with lots of sand and never ending hills, but totally worth the 10.5 hours it took me. Every water stop had bananas and oranges, medical and water and 'gatorade,' which didn't taste so great, but worked like a charm. Between miles 13-14 was a rest stop where burgers and hotdogs were available. Just what I needed to keep pushing on. Vans or ATVs patrolled the entire course the whole time to rescue any casualties. Overall VERY impressed with entire weekend. Highly recommend saving $$ and staying on the base in the gym the night or 2 before. Better than the hour wait to get through the gate in the morning. Some of the remaining survivors of the real Bataan Death march (1942) were around to share their stories during the weekend which was very inspiring. | |
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Alex Komodore from Denver
(10/26/2012)
"Came back and finished w/ better weather!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well after getting sick the year before and finishing the short 14.2, I finished with much better weather this time, with a time of 5:20, well under my normal 4 hour pace. Amazing experience that I wil try never to miss as long as I can run or walk it. Steep hill from mile 8-13 that most walk up. 40 degree plus temperature varience, but sure beat the 35 mph blow the year before. Be prepared for any weather. This year it was beautiful. Do this to honor the servicemen of this great country and leave you personal glory at home. Bring your children so they can check out the whole deal. My 13 year old did well in the 14 miler and my son ran the heavy division with his ROTC squad. Hard to get to, but worth it! Great organization, volunteers were spectacular, fans at the finish line. Wow! | |
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R. F. from Texas
(8/4/2012)
"One of my all-time favorite races" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Who would have thought that a course in New Mexico would be spectacularly beautiful? It was! At one point, we were completely surrounded by mountains. It was an extremely tough course, but I followed previous runners' advice and walked up 'the hill' (there were actually many, but one is so steep and so long, it stood out) and 'the sand pit' (an area of trail with ankle-deep sand.) I didn't run a PR, of course, but it was a wonderful experience. I shook hands with survivors of the 'real' Bataan Death March at the finish and thanked them for their service. The day before, I listened to a seminar presented by a survivor and heard a historical presentation about the death march. Survivors were on hand throughout the weekend to shake hands and sign autographs. The Army knows how to put on an event: it was very well organized. Remote areas of the course were devoid of spectators, but the aid stations made up for it. Volunteers thought of everything, including offering wet wipes for those exiting the port-o-potties. Bring your own hydration device, as the course is so remote, aid stations are a little far apart. All-in-all, a very memorable experience. Run it now while there are survivors who are still alive. | |
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Wayne Wright from Orange County, Florida USA
(5/10/2012)
"MIL-SPEC Marathon" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 NTRODUCTION: I am a race-walker with a median marathon completion time of 5:14:50. The Bataan Memorial Death March was my twenty-fourth 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-forties 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 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 and it was a relatively easy, downhill or flat march the rest of the way. The only deterrent was the southerly wind blowing against us and the hot weather that had reached the mid-eighties. At the end of the march, we were offered to meet the true heroes of the eventthose who survived the 64 mile march in the Philippines under much more difficult circumstances seventy years ago. ORGANIZATION: The staff and volunteers who conducted the In-Processing were efficient and extremely accommodating. The Pasta Dinner was well run. Those of us who arrived early to both events benefitted from not standing in line outside in the desert heat. The opening ceremony was an incomparable solemn affair, especially the roll call of Bataan Death March survivors present, and of those who passed away in the past year. The thirteen water points served water and Gatorade efficiently. Of special note was Water Point 6, operated by the New Mexico State University ROTC: a hamburger, hot dog, and chips could be had for five dollars. At Water Point 11, USA flags were handed to the marchers. 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. | |
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S. G. from Fort Smith, AR
(4/12/2012)
"Amazing experience....train hard!" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I completed this course in march 2011. It was my first marathon, I did NOT run this course, but I did finish the full 26.2 miles. From the head on, gale force winds to the hills, to the rugged terrain.....and that evil, evil 2 mile sand pit.......this course is the very definition of brutal. I do want to do this again, after much more training, and I'd like to bet to the point where I can run it, but I'm damn proud that I even managed to finish it once. Definitely one of the best experiences of my life. | |
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Tony Williams from Flagstaff, AZ
(4/3/2012)
"Your time is not the issue" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 4-5 Bataan Memorial Death Marchs
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is one tough course, but it is appropriate for an event that aims to honor the suffering and sacrifice of the original Bataan marchers, sick with tropical diseases, malnourished, poked by Jap bayonets and shot if they stopped. The survivors one meets here will astonish you with their stories, told in a simple and humble style. This is a no whine zone, and when you see the old vets, as well as current ones, some on artificial legs, you will have difficulty thinking of your own pains. This year's event was the hottest I have endured. You can expect chilly mornings, hot middays, high wind, and a tremendous feeling of accomplishment. This is the only marathon event I will ever do, but I expect to continue as long as there are original vets to honor. The inspirational high one gets by doing this event is unequaled. | |
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S. C. from Portland Oregon USA
(4/1/2012)
"A moving experience" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 STAYING ON BASE I got there Friday around 4pm. Not many people yet and I got a cot. Saturday the gym filled up and it was people everywhere. However, people were nice, got to shower and toilets. No lines, amazingly. I really recommend it because you'll be more likely to take part in all the learning activities, which is what this weekend is about. As one person said, 'it's a weekend long history lesson, followed by a tough marathon. There were around a dozen survivors this year. Totally awesome to get to meet them. My normal 4 hour time took me 5:03 and I finished #174. This is tough. I'll be back next year! | |
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z. z. from San Diego, CA
(3/28/2012)
"A Marathon to Remember!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bataan Memorial Death March
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the civilian light marathon in 2012. What a great weekend! I booked a hotel in Las Crucas early. Packet pick up (in processing) was planned with military precision. The start was easy to find with the huge US flag. The course was challenging. The hill, dirt roads, the painful sand pit at mile 21. Going down was hard as the trail was rolling up and down. I had to go off course around mile 18 because a blackhawk helicopter landed on the course (awesome). Did I mention that sand pit was really tough? The desert sun was bright but all aid stations were well stocked with water, electrolyte, bananas and oranges. I was in pain when I finished but nearly started crying when someone said 'there are some survivors that would like to congratulate you.' Amazing to shake hands with guys who survived the real desert march without aid stations. No Mamma, No Pappa, No Uncle Sam. I'll never forget this marathon event. BTW, my average marathon time is 4:15 and this one took me 5:30 - that sand pit was brutal. |
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