Official Rules
Division Eligibility
- Non-military categories are open to anyone, whether you are
military or civilian. If you are in the military, but wish to enter
a non-military category you are allowed to do so.
- Military categories are only open to certain military ID card
holders. Eligible cardholders include Active Duty Military,
Reserves, National Guard and Retirees.
- Family Members may not enter military categories unless they
themselves also fall into one of the previously mentioned groups.
- All individuals in a military category must comply with AR 670-1,
“Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.”
Individual or Team Military Divisions
- Participants will wear BDUs, ACUs or their service equivalent
uniform. Non-standard T-shirts may be worn in place of the
regulation T-shirts.
- Participants must be in full uniform during the opening ceremony
and at the start of the march. Only uniform tops and headgear may be
removed along the route as desired.
- Boots may not be exchanged for any other footgear along the route.
Anyone caught violating this rule will be disqualified. Footwear is
limited to military service recognized boots. Consult your service
regulations. Hi-Tech style boots may be worn only if authorized by
individual service regulations or commander.
-
Weighted Vests are not allowed in any category.
- Military light divisions require each participant to wear an LBE,
Load Carrying Equipment (LCE), combat web gear or their service
equivalent of individual load carrying equipment with at least a
pistol belt, suspenders and one canteen or, a hydration pack
(Camelbak) may be worn in lieu of the LBE with canteen.
- All participants in these divisions will have a full quart of
water at the start of the march. Failure to do so will result in
disqualification.
- No Load Bearing Equipment (LBE) or helmets are required in the
heavy divisions.
- Pioneering poles and hiking sticks are not authorized in any
Military division. Numbers will be attached to the front of the
uniform only. There will be checkpoints along the route. Numbers
must be attached to the front of the uniform or risk
disqualification.
- Timing chips must be attached to marcher’s footwear lacing and
must be visible or risk disqualification. The timing chip each
marcher receives during in-processing is theirs to keep. It does not
have to be returned at the end of the march.
ROTC/JROTC Divisions
- Senior ROTC Individual/Team Heavy Category uniform requirements are the
same as their respective military counterparts.
- Senior ROTC Individual/Team Light Category uniform
requirements are ACU uniform or organizational Improved Physical
Fitness Uniform (IPFU), US Army shorts, white calf length socks,
running shoes and organizational T-shirt, (warm-up, cap and gloves
if needed).
- ROTC may not enter a Military Category.
- Junior ROTC team category uniform is civilian footwear and
trousers with a distinctive team T-shirt. Team members will remain
in uniform throughout the duration of the march.
- ROTC /JROTC may enter in the non-military or their respective ROTC
categories only.
- In the JROTC team category, instructors may march with the cadets
as a team member.
- Timing chips must be attached to marcher’s footwear lacing and
must be visible or risk disqualification.
- The timing chip each marcher receives during in-processing is
theirs to keep. It does not have to be returned at the end of the
march.
Individual or Team Non-Military Divisions
- All participants will wear footwear.
- Participants registered in any non-military category may wear any
footwear or attire, (except a complete recognized military uniform),
appropriate for road marching through the desert).
- Individual components of military type clothing (i.e. BDU
trousers, military boots, military headgear, etc.) may be worn, but
the participant must be easily distinguishable as a non-military
entrant by finish line personnel.
- Teams representing organization such as police or fire units may
wear uniforms. Uniform fabric should be appropriate for a march
through desert terrain during possibly warm weather. Distinctive
unit T-shirts are encouraged in lieu of uniforms made of
inappropriate, heavy or dark-colored material.
- While all mandatory water requirements for this division have
been lifted, it is recommended recommend each participant carry at
least one quart of water along the route at all times.
- Timing chips must be attached to marcher’s footwear lacing and
must be visible or risk disqualification. The timing chip each
marcher receives during in-processing is theirs to keep. It does not
have to be returned at the end of the march.
Heavy Divisions
- All participants will wear footwear.
- Marchers in the heavy division must have a minimum of 35 pounds in
their rucksacks/backpacks, which will be weighed and verified at the
finish line.
- The frame of the ruck/backpack count towards the 35 pound limit.
- Alice Style, Blackhawk and Molle packs are authorized.
- Weighted Vests are not allowed in any category.
- The 35 pounds cannot include rocks, sandbags (unless
securely taped shut), logs, water or other items which could be
picked up along the route.
- Marchers with less than 35 pounds will be disqualified from the
competition.
- Timing chips must be attached to marcher’s footwear lacing and
must be visible or risk disqualification. The timing chip each
marcher receives during in-processing is theirs to keep. It does not
have to be returned at the end of the march.
Teams
- All participants will wear footwear.
- Teams will consist of 5 members, no more, no less.
- All members must cross the finish line within 20 seconds of each
other. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Any team
finishing with less than 5 members will be disqualified. No team
will abandon or leave behind a member. If a team member cannot
continue, it is the team’s duty to ensure that they are left in the
care of an aid station. Leaving a comrade behind is not in the
spirit of Bataan or the military service of the United States of
America. Once a team member is left in the care of medical
personnel, the remainder of the team may choose to complete the
course; however, the entire team is disqualified from placing.
- Coed teams must have at least one member of each gender. The team
captain or a team representative must attend one of the team
captain briefings conducted during in-processing. Any team not
meeting this requirement may face disqualification. Only team
captains will report to march officials with any discrepancies or
grievances prior to the conclusion of the march. March officials
will make final decisions on all discrepancies or grievances.
- Timing chips must be attached to marcher’s footwear lacing and
must be visible or risk disqualification. The timing chip each
marcher receives during in-processing is theirs to keep. It does not
have to be returned at the end of the march.
Miscellaneous
- Minimum age to participate is 9 years old, providing the
individual is registered and marching with a parent/ guardian or a
member of the family 18 years or older.
- No pets or strollers are allowed on the route.
- CD players, boom boxes, etc. are allowed only if headphones are
used.
- March route will close at 8:00 p.m.
- Removal of signs or other markers is strictly prohibited and will
result in disqualification.
- Military PT uniforms are not authorized when competing in a Active
Duty Military category.
- Refunds will not be given due to inclement weather or cancellation
of the march.
- Good sportsmanship is expected at all times!
- T
- Those individuals and teams in the heavy categories are requested
to pack their rucks with non perishable food items and donate to the
NM Food Bank which will have containers located at the finish line.
- Refunds will not be given due to inclement weather or cancellation
of the march.
- Good sportsmanship is expected at all times!
- All teams are required to march single file for the first 2 miles
of the march.
