Monday, April 6, 2009

Bataan Memorial Marathon





Out of the nearly four dozen marathons I've run, the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon has got to be one of the most moving and memorable. It is run in memory of the World War II veterans who were forced to march for days in the terrible heat and humidity of the Philippine jungle in 1942. Some of the surviving veterans were there at the start and finish, and one even shared his story with my husband and I.

Bataan is an incredible event. There are several catagories you can run in. Civilian light, civilian heavy, ( carrying at least 35 pounds) military light, and military heavy. Thousands come out to run or march this unique event, held every march on White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The attention to detail in the race race organization is to be both admired and appreciated. Hopefully I will be able to make it out once again next year for this extraordinary event.

Pictures are of my husband and I after the race, another of the marchers as they climb up one of the many long and often sandy hills on the course, and one of a very happy, fat cat after the race.

1 comment:

JeffO said...

You have a politician on top of you!
Oh, that's just a big, fat, cat!
I definitely have to do this next year - even if it is right after the Moab 100.
This year I was injured, so it wouldn't have happened anyways.
Looks like fun.