MARCH RUNNING CHALLENGE REGISTRATION

In 2019, at 101, he walked more than three miles through the desert to honor his brothers-in-arms who did not return from the war. The event has become a pilgrimage for veterans, active-duty military members, supporters, the few remaining survivors, and family members of the men who perished in the march and POW camps.Ĭolonel Skardon had walked in the BMDM 12 times, most often a distance of 8.5 miles, beginning in 2007 when he was 89. He was well known as the only survivor of the real Bataan Death March who walked in the annual Bataan Memorial Death March (BMDM) at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., one of the toughest and most popular “ultramarathons” in the world. It is impossible to know the exact number, but it is estimated at least 57 percent of the captured Americans did not survive the war – more than 11,500 souls - which is considered a very conservative number by most experts.Ĭolonel Skardon, 104,was the last living member of this illustrious group. Those who survived the march then had to survive for years in the inhumane and brutal conditions of Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, and the sinking by our own Navy of unmarked prison ships trying to steal the POW’s away to the mainland towards the end of the war. Seven other alumni were also captured on neighboring islands during World War II.Īlready weak and starving from months of intense fighting and illness, the POWs’ were herded with other sick, wounded and starving soldiers through the searing heat of the Philippine jungles. They were marched North some 70 miles by their ruthless captors in what would come to be known as the Bataan Death March, one of the most notorious war crimes in history. On April 9, 1942, six Clemson alumni became prisoners of war with tens of thousands of their brothers-in-arms when American troops who had been fighting in the Philippine theater of WWII were ordered to surrender to the Japanese. The first 500 entrants are guaranteed a race shirt, bib number, medallion, lanyard, and window decal. If you would like to become a Race Sponsor, contact John Seketa at or 86 for more information. Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633 On the for line, write: Bataan Endowment.

MARCH RUNNING CHALLENGE REGISTRATION

This year's goal is to raise $34,000.ĭonations can be made on-line during your registration or if you want a tax deduction, please contact Amy Craft at the Clemson University Foundation M-F from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm EST at 86, or mail a check to: Clemson University Foundation, Attn: Amy Craft, P.O. There will be no prize money awarded to the top finishers if there is an in-person event.ġ00% of the proceeds will benefit the Clemson University Military Affiliated students via an endowment to send a group of these military students to compete in the annual Bataan Memorial Death March Race at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Your participant packet will be mailed around February 20th (t-shirt or tank top, race medallion, lanyard, bib number, and window decal). And, you can complete it in one day or throughout the eight-day period. or on your own course - in your own town. The virtual race for high schools will be from March 11 - April 9. You can complete your own walk, run, bike, hike, swim, or ski in Clemson, S.C.

We anticipate on hosting an in-person race at 9:00 am on Sat., March 11, 2023, along with a virtual race, March 11-18, 2023. The 'Clemson 8' Bataan Death March Challenge is open to the general public. The 'Clemson 8' Bataan Death March Challenge Walk/Run/Bike/Hike/Swim/Ski

March running challenge