Where can I find the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon route map?
Use the official course links on this page for the organiser route page, map PDF or route download.
Official course linksBataan Memorial Death March Marathon
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2027 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Decision summary
Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon at a glance
- Evidence depth
- 35 verified facts
Source facts available
Route details
Known course facts at a glance
Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon has known course details for its marathon race. The summary below keeps the focus on what is confirmed for the course.
- Official distance
- 42.2 km
- Terrain
- Trail, Mixed, Beach
- Scenery
- Desert, Mountain, Countryside, Forest, Moorland, Island
Quick answers
What runners ask first
How hilly is the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon?
The Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon is described as hilly. The course listing puts the climb at 949 m.
Where does the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon route go?
The Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon route starts at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico and finishes at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico (returns to the start/finish area near the White Sands community). Underfoot, expect mixed: paved roads combined with dirt and sandy desert trails. It passes Mineral Hill, the Sand Pit, White Sands community and Organ Mountains. Route proceeds northwest, circling a small mountain known as Mineral Hill (climb around mile 9), then veers onto dirt and sand trails.
What should runners know on race day for the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon?
10.
Race character
Scenery
- Desert
- Mountain
- Countryside
- Forest
- Moorland
- Island
Atmosphere
- Wilderness
- Community
- Destination
Terrain
- Trail
- Mixed
- Beach
- Elevation character
- Hilly
- Technicality
- Moderate
- Source-stated ascent
- 949 m
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Field size
- A large-scale event: peak historical participation exceeded 8,000 marchers (2018); recent in-person finisher counts were around 2,600-2,800 (2024-2025).
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Qualification entry: Entry requirement held: heavy divisions require carrying a 35 lb (ruck plus frame) pack.
- Minimum age
- 13+
- Qualification status
- Open registration with no qualifying standard or lottery; full marathon route is approximately 26.2 miles.
- Prior experience
- heavy divisions require carrying a 35 lb (ruck plus frame) pack
Race day logistics
- Aid stations
- 10
- Expo / packet pickup
- Packet pickup is held at the Professional Development Center on White Sands Missile Range in the two days before the march.
- Medal
- Finishers receive a commemorative medal (dog-tag style) and unit coins are also associated with the event.
Access and course status
- Start
- White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
- Finish
- White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico (returns to the start/finish area near the White Sands community)
Course facts
- Course type
- Loop
- Surface
- Mixed: paved roads combined with dirt and sandy desert trails.
- Landmarks
- Mineral Hill, the Sand Pit, White Sands community, Organ Mountains
- Notable features
- Two divisions: Heavy (minimum 35-pound rucksack/backpack required) and Light (no weight requirement)
- separate Military (Army Combat Uniform or service equivalent) and Civilian categories
- individual and 5-person team entries
- Route proceeds northwest, circling a small mountain known as Mineral Hill (climb around mile 9), then veers onto dirt and sand trails
- a notorious deep-sand stretch called the Sand Pit (about three-quarters of a mile) comes after Water Station 9 before the return to the finish