FAQs

The Live In-Person event is scheduled for March 22, 2025.

Yes. They are encouraged to help prevent foot injuries.

You may participate in the Full March (26.2 miles), Honorary March (14.2 miles) or the Virtual Edition.

If you do not have a military ID card, you enter the civilian category. If you are military and want to wear your uniform, you enter the military category. If you are military and do not wish to wear your uniform, then you enter the civilian category.

You may have someone else pick up your packet but recommend you pick up your own packet. The person picking up your packet will be asked to sign for it. For teams, only the Team Captain should pick up the packets for the entire team. If he/she cannot do this task, another team member may be selected. If you are picking up a packet for another participant, please make sure they are aware, so as not to create confusion by them coming in later and asking for their packet. This will save time and confusion on everyone’s behalf. If you do not pick up your packet or have a bib on race day you will be removed from the course by security.

It really depends upon your goal. If you are running for time, you want a solid running shoe. If you are walking, you might consider a lightweight hiking boot. What ever type of footwear you decide to wear, train in the shoes/boots you intend to use on the march. You should have at least 100 miles on your marching footwear. This ensures your gear is broken in and will minimize the chance for blisters. You might also consider wearing gaiters to keep sand and rocks out of your shoes/boots.

There are 12 water points along the route. There are also several first aid stations.

There are portable toilets along the route. We do suggest that you bring a bottle of hand sanitizer and/or baby wipes.

A variety of food and beverage options will be available for purchase at various locations at White Sands Missile Range.

Because of the rugged nature of the course (which is along trails and washes), security measures and accountability spectators are not allowed on the route. The safest and most comfortable place for spectators is at either the start or finish line.

Minimum age to participate is 9 years old (honorary march) / 13 years old (full march) providing the individual is registered and marching with a parent/guardian or a member of the family who is 18 years or older. (Child MUST be with parent/guardian at all times when on the route.)

No. This includes baby carriers, bicycles, jogging strollers and baby strollers.

No. Pets are not permitted on the course or at the march site. Exceptions are made for working dogs with certified documentation.

All marchers must be off the route at 8:00 p.m.

A light-category participant does not carry a pack. A heavy-category participant carries a 35-lb pack.

No, refunds will NOT be authorized once registered nor will they be issued due to inclement weather or cancelation of the march. Specific situations such as military deployment or medical emergency will be taken into consideration, however the individual must contact us directly and provide appropriate documentation.

Register here

If you do not have a military ID card, you enter the civilian category. If you are military and want to wear your uniform, you enter the military category. If you are military and do not wish to wear your uniform, then you enter the civilian category.

Yes. They are encouraged to help prevent foot injuries.

Yes, participants in military categories must be in a uniform that is in accordance with current military uniform standards.

No. Although several services have theater specific provisions for the wearing of BDU-type shorts, they are not allowed in the military categories. This is in the interest of keeping external advantages to a minimum, since several services have no such provision.

Yes. Military participants may carry either the LBE with a minimum of one canteen or the CamelBak instead of the LBE with canteen.

Yes. Official issue desert style BDUs are authorized, and encouraged, to help prevent heat injuries.

Yes. Any JROTC/ROTC instructor assigned to the entered unit’s team may enter with the team and march as a member of that team. This is due largely to the fact that many JROTC teams require chaperones to march with their teams because of the participants’ ages (minors).

Yes. You can show your Unit pride and participation by contributing your Unit coin to Bataan. A specially designed coin rack will be displayed with all of the donated unit coins during in-processing. After Bataan, the coins and coin rack will be moved to the White Sands Missile Range Museum where they will be displayed in the special Bataan Memorial Death March section of the museum.

Yes, as long as you are able to be in accordance with current military uniform standards.

Ruck plus frame must equal 35 lbs.

For the heavy category, we would like to encourage you to bring beans, rice, non perishable items, cans, macaroni, pasta, cat/dog food to use as weight in your backpack. Clear tape MUST be used when wrapping food items for weight, food cannot be wrapped with Duck Tape, Gorilla Tape, Electrical Tape, etc. At the conclusion for the march, you can drop your items in the bin and it will be donated to the local Food Bank. For those of you traveling, you may buy these items at the White Sands Commissary, AAFES, or local grocery stores once you arrive. No need to pack extra weight in your suitcases. You may not pack logs, water, rocks, sand, or anything that can be replenished along the route (unless the bags are sealed to the satisfaction of march officials). Each backpack will be inspected at the finish line upon completion of the march.

A light-category participant does not carry a pack. A heavy-category participant carries a 35 lb pack.

If you do not have a military ID card, you enter the civilian category. If you are military and want to wear your uniform, you enter the military category. If you are military and do not wish to wear your uniform, then you enter the civilian category.

It really depends upon your goal. If you are running for time, you want a solid running shoe. If you are walking, you might consider a lightweight hiking boot. What ever type of footwear you decide to wear, train in the shoes/boots you intend to use on the march. You should have at least 100 miles on your marching footwear. This ensures your gear is broken in and will minimize the chance for blisters. You might also consider wearing gaiters to keep sand and rocks out of your shoes/boots.

Yes, those entered into the civilian category are allowed to use a pioneering pole or hiking pole. Those entered in the military categories may not.

Teams must consist of 5 members – no more, no less. All members must cross the finish line within 20 seconds of each other.

No, Only the Team Captain should pick up the packets for the entire team. If he/she cannot do this task, another team member may be selected. When he/she picks up the packets for the entire team, please make sure they are aware, so as not to create confusion by them coming in later and asking for their packets. This will save time and confusion on everyone’s behalf. If no one picked up the teams packet or if someone from the team or the entire team does not have a bib on race day, you will be removed from the course by security.

No, this route is for those marching the honorary category and there are no teams allowed in this category.

Yes. Any JROTC/ROTC instructor assigned to the entered unit’s team may enter with the team and march as a member of that team. This is due largely to the fact that many JROTC teams require chaperones to march with their teams because of the participants’ ages (minors).

A light-category participant does not require participants to carry a pack. A heavy-category participant carries a 35 lb pack.