You are here:
Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: White Sands Missile Range, NM, USA
- Race Date: 03/20/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: No
World Marathon Majors: No
Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon Description
The Bataan Memorial Death March honors the soldiers who endured the original 1942 Bataan Death March and years of captivity that followed. Held every March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the course crosses rugged desert trails and paved road, circling the foothills near Mineral Hill at elevations above 4,000 feet. Marchers choose the full 26.2-mile course or a shorter Honorary Distance, registering as Civilian in standard gear or Heavy division, carrying a 35-pound rucksack. Bataan survivors have long greeted finishers at the end, making this one of the most moving tributes in American distance running.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
Share This Race
Shop This Race
Handpicked for runners toeing this line.
Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon Additional Details:
Instead of a medal handed out at the finish, participants receive a set of dog tags in their goodie bag before the race even starts, a fitting nod to the military history this event honors. Numbered water points appear every two to three miles with free water, sports drink, oranges, and bananas, and volunteers occasionally hand out small treats like chocolate or Starburst candy to keep spirits up through the desert heat. Around the halfway mark, a larger aid station offers food for purchase along with cots where marchers can rest or change socks and shoes before continuing. Red star markers along the route indicate medical stations, a practical detail for a course that pushes participants through sand, wind, and heat over rugged terrain.
Course Information
Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: Route closes at 8:00 PM
# of Finishers
Marathon: 2,600 to 2,700
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 1300
Elevation Loss: 1300
Average Temperature
- Low: 38°F
- High: 70°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Your bridge into marathons, with a plan built for stepping up the distance.
Structured plans for every experience level, first finish to chasing a new PR.
Things to Do in White Sands Missile Range, NM, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Museums & History
White Sands Missile Range Museum
See a missile park with rockets from the WAC Corporal to the Pershing II at the free White Sands Missile Range Museum, along with displays on the region’s Old West history — an easy, indoor stop.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
White Sands National Park
Take in the glowing gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park, one of the most striking landscapes in the American Southwest — a relaxed, flat way to spend a rest day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon
Compare nearby hotels and book your Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon race-weekend stay in seconds.
Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.
Featured Race
A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes