WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. -- Most people run marathons to test their physical endurance; to push themselves to the limit.
But a different kind of Marathon this weekend commemorated one of the darkest moments in U.S. military history.
Every year for the last 26, soldiers, veterans, and civilians from around the world descend onto White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to remember the Bataan Death March.
"The Bataan Death March was about resilience," said San Antonio participant and Army Veteran Sgt. Sarah Walton. "Those that fell out or those that could not keep up were summarily shot. They were given no water, no food, a lot of them were barefoot."
On April 9, 1942 some 70,000 American and Philippine troops surrendered to Japanese forces on the peninsula of Bataan. Their weapons had no ammo. Their food and water ran dry. The only option was to surrender.
They were forced to walk more than 60 miles under grueling conditions in the damp jungle.
Stragglers were killed, some tried to escape.
Another marcher from San Antonio, Army Sgt. Glenn Grabbs, took part to learn a lesson "How did they survive? What did they think about to keep their spirits and morale high?" He compared then to now. "It's really hard for soldiers today to really understand some of the hardships and environments that they did have to endure."
"The stories of courage, the stories of almost super human strength. Individuals carrying their battle buddies," Sgt. Watson added. "It's something that you wonder if you were to be put in that situation today, as a service member, if you'd be able to do that."
The march attracts some of the finest athletes in the world.
Some soldiers taking part in the 26-mile trek do so with a 35-pound ruck on their back.
San Antonio Crossfit owner and Army reservist Mike Martinez said Bataan is no joke. "It sounds pretty easy just walking but it takes it's toll on your feet and your body," said Martinez.
On this March day, upwards of 6,000 people participated. The winner was an 18-year-old high school student, but the race came second in this marathon, "If we don't constantly bringing into remembrance things that happened in the past we will forget them" said Sgt. Walton.
"(I can) go do a March. Endure a little hardship myself to let them know the burden that they shouldered was worth it" said Sgt. Grabbs.
"it's the little bit that we can give back to those survivors and their families that endured their life-long legacy," added Martinez.
