The challenge will be the week of March 21-28. It is a virtual race where participants can walk, run, bike or hike on the course (road/mountain/golf) of your choosing either 8, 14.2 or 26.2 miles. You and your family or friends can complete your event in one day or over the eight-day period. 100% of the proceeds from the $30 (adult) and $20 (student) entry fee will benefit the Clemson University ROTC program to fund scholarships and send a group of cadets to compete in the 2022 Bataan Memorial Death March. In 2019 the Clemson Rangers came in third place in the ROTC Heavy Division. Each member of the team was required to carry a 35-lb backpack the entire 26.2 miles and finish as a team within seconds of each other. Go to this link to register: https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Clemson/ClemsonEightBataanDeathMarchReRemembrance Each participant will receive a commemorative t-shirt they can wear while completing the challenge.
On April 9, 1942, eight Clemson Alumni became prisoners of war, along with tens of thousands American troops fighting in the Philippines when they were ordered to surrender to the Japanese. They were marched north some 70 miles by the Imperial Japanese Army in what would become known as the Bataan Death March, one of the most notorious war crimes in history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataan_Death_March
Today, Col. Skardon, 103 and 1/2, is the last living member of this illustrious Clemson group. He is well known as the only survivor of the real Bataan Death March who walks in the annual Bataan Memorial Death March at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, one of the toughest marathons in the world. The event has become a pilgrimage for veterans, active-duty military members, supporters, the few remaining survivors and family members of the men who perished in the march, the POW camps and the sunken ships.
Col. Skardn has walked in the annual memorial march 11 times, most often a distance of 8.5 miles, beginning in 2007 when he was 89. His last walk was in 2019, at age 101. He considers it his duty to walk each year to honor his brothers-in-arms who did not return from the war. He was on his way to walk again in 2020 when the event was canceled the week prior to the race due to the coronavirus pandemic. As he put it to a group of friends (known as Ben’s Brigade) shortly after hearing the news, his annual trip to White Sands was the “carrot” that got him up and walking every day.
The “Clemson 8” Challenge was created by a team of students, veterans, alumni and friends so Skardon’s mission — to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country in one of the most brutal wartime events in history — will carry on. The ultimate goal is for the “Clemson 8” Challenge to become an annual event.
Col. Skardon was the first one to sign up to participate in this event. The “carrot” his friends created for him worked perfectly, so the event has already been a great success in that respect. He has been walking every day in preparation and plans to walk his eight miles, one mile a day for eight consecutive days.
A brigade consists of between 3,200-5,500 soldiers. Col. Skardon’s Ben’s Brigade consists of just over 100 family and friends. As the Race Director, I thank you for your consideration of this challenge as we grow it to Brigade strength. I look forward to seeing your name on the Event Participant list and please challenge your family and friends to participate.
After registering for the “Clemson 8” Challenge, you are encouraged to continue your training and participate in the 2021 virtual edition of 32nd annual Bataan Memorial Death March at https://bataanmarch.com/, which will be held in April
