Bataan Memorial Death March returns after two-year pandemic hiatus; event set for March 19, 2023

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, New Mexico - In March 2020, just days before the Bataan Memorial Death March was to be held, organizers made the decision to cancel the event because of COVID-19 concerns. Now after a two-year hiatus, the march returns in-person on Sunday, March 19, 2023. The March is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"The Bataan Memorial Death March was started by a group of ROTC students at New Mexico State University as a way of recognizing the contributions of a certain group of World War II veterans," said John Hamilton with the White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs Office. "They were the survivors of the Bataan Death March who defended the Bataan Peninsula on the island of Corregidor from the Japanese. They surrendered and were forced to march some 65 miles to the nearest Prisoner of War camp and suffered greatly at the hands of the Japanese."

Hamilton explained that some of those soldiers had a connection to New Mexico.

"Among them was the 200th Coast Artillery, converted to an air defense unit, that was actually a New Mexico National Guard unit. So that's why NMSU decided to honor them."

As the event grew, it moved to White Sands Missile Range. For the 2023 event, early registration is already underway.

"The early bird price until December 31 is $95 for individuals and $450 for teams," explained Brittany Mbuyamba, one of the event organizers. "You can register at http://bataanmarch.com. There are two routes. The Bataan route is 26.2 miles. The Honorary route is 14.2 miles. This race is live in-person, and the virtual option is also available. This year there are no COVID restriction or mask mandates. Children no younger than 9 years old may participate, but they must have a parent or guardian with them."

Mbuyamba said individual participants who choose to take part in what's called the "Heavy Division" for 26.2 miles must carry a 35 lb. ruck sack that is filled with non-perishable goods. Following the march, those items will be donated to Casa De Peregrinos and Roadrunner, local food banks in the Las Cruces community.

A three-day long participant packet pick-up is set for March 16 - 18 at the Las Cruces Convention Center. Pre-march activities on White Sands Missile Range include free movies, pizza night, and karaoke night on Friday, March 16, Meet the Bataan Survivors, History Seminar, movie night, pasta night on Saturday, March 17, with Opening Ceremony and Race on Sunday, March 19.

All the details on the march are available at http://bataanmarch.com.