Bataan Memorial Death March

{{Short description|Annual walking event at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, US}}

{{for|the historical event|Bataan Death March}}

{{Infobox athletics race

| name = Bataan Memorial Death March

| bgcolour = #394597

| image =

| imagesize = 200px

| caption = Battling Bastards of Bataan Logo

| date = March 17th 2019

| location = White Sands Missile Range

| type = Cleared path

| distance = Marathon and march

| est = 1989

| record =

| homepage = [http://www.bataanmarch.com www.bataanmarch.com]

}}

The Bataan Memorial Death March is an annual commemoration of the Bataan Death March attended by many of the survivors of the march, along with thousands of supporters from around the world, held at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Held annually since 1989, this is a full marathon, or a {{convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on}} route for those who do not wish to complete the full course. Covering paved road and sandy trails, it is regarded by Marathon Guide as one of the top 30 marathons in the U.S.{{Cite web|url=http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Articles/2007RecapOverview.cfm|title=USA Marathons & Marathoners 2007|publisher=marathonguide.com|accessdate=May 8, 2008|postscript=}}Schurtz, Christopher, "Record Number Gather To Honor Bataan Death March", Las Cruces Sun-News, March 22, 2010, p. 1.

The race is open to all members of the public, though a significant portion of the participants are members of military units of the U.S. and foreign armed forces and their families. Civilians usually run in the full marathon, which is timed with awards though not certified by USA Track and Field. Several surviving Bataan prisoners usually await the competitors to congratulate them on completing the grueling march. Many injured veterans including some amputees attend to march as well.[http://www.bataanmarch.com/ Official Bataan Memorial Death March Page]

The race continues all day, with the slowest marchers taking over 12 hours to complete the course.[http://allarizonarunningevents.com/2011_Results/2011_Bataan/2011-Bataan-3-Civilian.htm 2011 civilian results] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523044738/http://allarizonarunningevents.com/2011_Results/2011_Bataan/2011-Bataan-3-Civilian.htm |date=May 23, 2011 }}, via All Arizona Running Events

File:BataanMarathon.jpg]]

In 2011, a record 6,300 marchers[http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2038424.shtml?cat=504 Joe Bartels, "Thousands turn out for Bataan Memorial Death March", KOB Eyewitness News 4, March 28, 2011] Accessed March 29, 2011 participated in both the marathon and the {{convert|15.4|mi|km|abbr=on}} course. In 2012 over 7,000 marchers competed and due to the heat and conditions 2012 became the most medicated march yet. In 2013, conditions were such that a weather advisory was put out to the 5,800 participants "thats crazy" toreconsider running the race if they had not trained in the heat or at higher altitudes and that officials were considering altering or canceling the event. In 2018, over 8,000 participated in the march.Williams, Kari. "Desert Hike Honors Bataan POWs", VFW Magazine, vol. 105, no. 9, (June/July 2018), p. 36.