BALANGA, Bataan – It’s all systems go for this year’s Bataan Freedom Run which will be held on April 10, tracing the historic Bataan Death March route.
Now on its third year, the Bataan Freedom Run still has the punishing ultra-marathon at 68.9 kms for serious marathon runners, plus the 10k, 5k for the running enthusiasts, and the 1km run for kids and 500m for pets.
All winners will receive cash prizes and medals from the organizers but finishers of the ultra-marathon leg of the run will have a finisher’s medal and a Bataan Freedom Run Finisher shirt.
“It’s one of those few race events that caters to a wide spectrum of runners, from the serious ultra-marathoners, to the enthusiasts and even to the kids and the families’ pets. Our aim is to bring the whole family together in a meaningful event that remembers and honors our Filipino and American Heroes who fought for freedom during the Battle for Bataan.” said Mike Villa-Real, Head of Veterans Bank’s Corporate and Consumer Relations Division.
The race is one of the key events of the 2016 Philippine Veterans Week which falls around April 9, 2016, the 74th anniversary of the Bataan Death March.
Since 2014, the Bataan Freedom Run is held in honor of the thousands of Filipino and American World War II veterans who endured the Bataan Death March seventy-four years ago and will be one of the highlights of this year’s celebration of Philippine Veterans Week. The route for the various distances follows the historic route taken by Filipino and American prisoners-of-war in Bataan province in 1942 when they were forced to march by their Japanese captors after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor.
Proceeds from the run will be used to fund the restoration of World War II Historical Markers in the province.
Bataan Freedom Run is presented by Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and co-presented by History Channel Asia; in coordination with the Provincial Government of Bataan, the City Government of Balanga, the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), and with Without Limits as race consultant.
The success of this year’s Bataan Freedom Run has buoyed the optimism of PVB and its partners and sponsors in the holding of bigger and better runs in the future especially in 2017 when the Philippines celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan.
For more information, please visit the Bataan Freedom Run Facebook page or contact (02) 2637768.
Online registration for the run is at https://regonline.activeglobal.com/bataanfreedomrun2016