This one is not a race, and you will feel the difference the moment the opening ceremony ends and thousands of boots and running shoes move off together. The route winds through White Sands Missile Range on a mix of pavement, dirt track and sandy washes, and the sand is the part people talk about afterward: soft, loose, swallowing your stride for stretches where every step costs more than it should. You can go light in ordinary running gear or shoulder a 35-pound pack in the heavy division. Pace matters less here than finishing with the people around you, many of whom are active-duty soldiers, veterans and families marching for someone by name. Plan for a long day in dry high-desert air, pack your own fuel, and expect the quiet at the start to stay with you.
A high-desert route over paved road, dirt trails and sandy washes inside White Sands Missile Range, walked or run from a 7:00 a.m. start. Course map ↗
October 1 (Army MWR listing: 'Registration opens Oct 1'); 2027 registration is open as of 2026-10-13 per bataanmarch.com 'REGISTER NOW' button. Individual and 5-person team entries in Civilian Light, Civilian Heavy, Military Light and Military Heavy divisions, plus an Honorary (shorter) march and a virtual edition. Heavy division requires a pack weighing at least 35 lb, verified at the finish. 2027 close date and any field cap not published on the site. Register ↗
- Established in 1989 by the Army ROTC Department at New Mexico State University to honor New Mexico's 200th and 515th Coast Artillery soldiers; about 100 people marched the first year. ↗
- White Sands Missile Range and the New Mexico National Guard joined as sponsors in 1992 and the event moved onto the missile range, where it is still held. ↗
- Heavy-division marchers must carry a minimum of 35 pounds including the pack; packs are weighed at the finish line, and weighted vests, loose rocks and water do not count. ↗
- Teams are exactly five members and all five must cross the finish line within 20 seconds of each other. ↗
- Participants report by 6:00 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. start, and the route closes at 7:00 p.m. ↗
Checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site before booking travel.