Join 101 Gold for tjhe march at White Sands Missile Range on March 21, 2026.
The Bataan Memorial Death March is a commemorative event held annually at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to honor the American and Filipino soldiers who were forced to endure the original Bataan Death March, a brutal war crime committed by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.
The event was established in 1989 by the Army ROTC Department at New Mexico State University to commemorate the “native sons” of New Mexico who served in the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery units and to ensure the sacrifices made by these soldiers are never forgotten.
In 1992, the event was moved to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, where it has been held annually ever since.
The first march in 1989 had approximately 100 participants. By 2017, the event broke records with over 6,300 marchers.
Participation has grown significantly over the years, from hundreds to thousands of military members and civilians from around the world.
Participants can choose between a full marathon length (26.2 miles) or a shorter honorary course through tough, hilly desert terrain, with some participants carrying a 35-pound rucksack to make the event more challenging.
Survivors of the original march often attended the event to share their stories and congratulate participants, ensuring a living connection to history. The event continues to serve as a powerful “living history lesson” to honor the heroes of Bataan.
The original march followed the surrender of approximately 75,000 American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines to Japanese forces on April 9, 1942. Having fought fiercely for four months with insufficient supplies, the soldiers were already weakened by hunger and disease.
The Japanese forces forced the prisoners to march approximately 65 miles (104 km) north from Mariveles, Bataan, to San Fernando, and then by rail to Capas, followed by another 7-mile (11 km) march to Camp O’Donnell. The march was characterized by extreme brutality and a lack of food, water, and medical care.
Prisoners were beaten, shot, or bayoneted without provocation.
An estimated 10,000 men died during the march itself, with thousands more perishing later in the horrific conditions of the POW camps. The actions were later judged by an Allied military commission to be Japanese war crimes.
The event has grown into a world-renowned challenge and a “rite of passage” for many in the military.
As of 2024, participation has reached nearly 10,000 marchers annually, including active-duty military, veterans, and civilians.
Until recently, surviving veterans of the original march attended the opening ceremonies to shake hands with participants. Notable participants included the late Col. Ben Skardon, who completed the memorial march 12 times before his death at age 104 in 2021.
What is new for 2026
For the 37th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March, taking place March 21, 2026, several updates have been introduced to the course and registration process:
New Route Design: The 2026 event features a modified route intended to enhance safety and improve response times for medical and security teams. The new course promises rugged terrain with scenic vistas and zero repeat laps.
Virtual March Window: For those participating remotely, the Virtual Bataan Memorial Death March must be completed between March 21 and March 28, 2026.
Registration Tiers: A new pricing tier system is in effect for 2026. Following the early-bird period, registration fees increased on January 1, 2026, to $175 for individuals and $800 for teams.
Stricter Rucksack Donation Rules: While donating non-perishable food used as rucksack weight is encouraged, 2026 guidelines specify that items must be wrapped in clear tape rather than duct or electrical tape to ensure they can be accepted by food banks.
Updated Participation Logistics:
In-Person Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Registration Deadline: In-person registration closes on March 2, 2026.
Honorary Distance: The shorter “honorary” route for 2026 is officially set at 15.6 miles.