Kagitingan ultra-marathon to retrace Death March

MARIVELES, Bataan – The oldest running event paying tribute to World War II Veterans will be in the streets again to retrace the infamoous Death March Trail of 1942 on April 14 and 15.

Billed as the 19th Araw ng Kagitingan Ultra-Marathon, the 104-kilometer non-competitive relay-marathon will start at the Dambana ng Death March Kilometer Post O Marker here.

After the opening rites, the "Walk with the Heroes" portion of the event involving town officials led by Mayor Angel Peliglorio, the ultra-marathoners and the "living Heroes of Bataan" with Enrique dela Paz and Juan Lejano at the helm, will walk 20 meters of the dreaded rail.

The symbolic torch plus the country’s tri-colors, Uncle Sam’s Star-spangled banner and the Jap’s rising sun will be turned over by the vets after the "walk" to the runners as a fitting send-off for the retracing that was started by San Fernando Runners Unlimited, Inc. (SAFER RUN) prexy Ed Paez in 1986.

Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda, his mother board member Lilia Pineda, Principal Manolo Ruiz, barangay captain Adorlito Espinosa and the local residents will roll the traditional red carpet at the Sto. Tomas Elementray School for an overnight rest.

The two-day event is backed by Nestle-Philippines, PAGCOR, PCSO, Beam-Zest-O, San Fernando City Mayor Rey Aquino, Gatorade, Hotel Victoria de San Fernando, Alice Bakery & Grocery, BFAR Gitnang Luzon with Philippine National Police RECOM 3, Light Army Brigade and Special Support Unit of the Philippine Army providing three trucks as back-up vehicles.

The entourage will pass the towns of Lubao, Guagua and Bacolor before hitting the City of San Fernando, where Mayor Aquino and the "modern-day" marchers will join Post Commander Jorge Conde and the Pampanga vets in another "Walk with the Heroes" phase up to the Death March Shrine in Sto. Niño here for the final rites.