Running at the Bataan Death March
WHILE some horrible history must arguably be buried and forgotten, some ought to be remembered, especially if it made the nation ultimately stronger and its people equipped with true grit. One example is the Bataan Death March, which marks its 75th anniversary on April 9.
There will be an earlier commemoration on April 2 when a marathon — fourth annual Bataan Freedom Run — will be held. The marathon is an initiative of the Philippines Veterans Bank (PVB) and its partners. In addition, there will be a second event which gathers running and biking enthusiasts dubbed as the Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail.
The Bataan Freedom Run will feature a 42-kilometer full marathon, a 21-kilometer half-marathon as well as 10-kilometers, 5-kilometers, and 1-kilometer courses for running aficionados, kids, and even pets. As in the previous years, the event follows the route of the Bataan Death March and will start at Kilometer Zero in Mariveles, Bataan.
“Once again, Philippine Veterans Bank, together with our partners, is putting a segment of our nation’s history into the forefront of our national consciousness with the Bataan Freedom Run and the Freedom Trail,” said PVB Chairman Dr. Roberto F. de Ocampo, in a press statement.
“These events are not only challenging physically but also mentally to the runners and bikers but they are doing this to honor the World War II veterans who endured and made the ultimate sacrifice during the Death March 75 years ago.”
The Bataan Freedom Run, organized by Without Limits, is presented by PVB in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Provincial Government of Bataan, Freeport Area of Bataan Investor Locator Association (FABILA), History Channel Asia, ANC News Channel, and WhenInManila.Com.
Proceeds from the Bataan Freedom Run will be used for the maintenance of Death March markers located in Bataan province.
The organizers expect to bring together an estimated 5,000 participants apart from local spectators, mostly coming from Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Manila, and as well as descendants of the Death March survivors here and abroad.
For more information on Bataan Freedom Run and the Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail and to register in the events, visit www.withoutlimits.ph/component/k2/item/66-bfr2017.html.
