Los Alamos High School seniors Matthew Haight, left, and Noah Banks participated in the 37th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March last month. Courtesy photo

LAPS NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos High School seniors Matthew Haight and Noah Banks participated in the 37th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March held on March 21, 2026, at the White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces, New Mexico.

“We wanted to challenge ourselves in a way we haven’t before,” they said, when asked what made them decide to join in the march. They also wanted to bring recognition and memoriam to the lives that were lost in the Death March.

“We marched for patriotism and to show our appreciation to the Men and Women who defend our great country,” they added.

The Bataan Memorial Death March is a memorial endurance march/marathon that honors American and Filipino soldiers who suffered during the Bataan Death March of World War II. This event is not a typical race— it’s closer to a ruck march/endurance challenge. Participants include civilians, military personnel, and teams from around the world. While the total number of participants has not been publicized, the event usually sees between 6,000 and 7,000 participants.

“It was an amazing day,” Banks said. “We got on to base before the sun came up, and the sun rose just as the race started.”

He explained that, for the first mile, they marched into the sunrise. “We made sure to maintain a good pace and pushed on. The fatigue set in towards the end but we finished and felt a strong
sense of accomplishment.”

Because of the extreme heat this year, the organizers limited the distance of the march to 15.8 miles, which Matt and Noah completed in 3 hours and 36 minutes, making them among the early finishers (average time to complete this distance is 4.5-5.5 hours)

“We would absolutely do it again,” said Haight. “We hope to do the full 26 miles in the future, possibly even with weighted rucks.”