Running a marathon's distance is something to celebrate.
In tribute to war heroes, five members of UNM's Navy ROTC participated in the 26.2-mile Bataan Memorial Death March and took first place in the military light division on March 21.
Members had to run the marathon wearing camouflage, military boots and a 10-pound backpack.
"It's a very tough race," said Jeff Bauer, Navy ROTC student executive officer. "It's the toughest race I've ever run."
The march is an annual event honoring U.S. soldiers who surrendered to Japanese forces on April 9, 1942, during World War II, and were marched for days through the Philippine jungles to a prisoner-of-war camp. Thousands died during the march.
"It a huge event," said Student Commanding Officer Michael Simmons. "It's very prestigious, especially in the Southwest."
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The memorial has special meaning in New Mexico because members of the 200th Coast Artillery New Mexico National Guard were captured and had to endure the conditions of the Bataan Death March in 1942.
The memorial march began in 1989 when the Army ROTC Department at NMSU began sponsoring it. White Sands Missile Range and the New Mexico National Guard joined as sponsors in 1992, and the event is now held at White Sand Missile Range.
Simmons said this is the first time UNM NROTC has taken a first place award in this event.
"We got a ROTC trophy and a traveling trophy, which we will have to defend next year," Simmons said.
The five-member team consisted of Midshipman Simmons, Staff Sgt. Bauer, Staff Sgt. Scott Humr, officer candidate Leon Cantrell and Midshipman Chris Brewer.
"It was a great unit," Simmons said. "There were a lot of quality individuals, and we got to go out there and make a statement."
Bauer, who is also an active duty Marine, said running this race in a team was helpful as a motivational tool. He said about halfway through he wanted to walk, but that his team members kept him going.
"We just kept talking to each other and encouraging each other," Simmons said.
In order to win, all five members must cross the finish line around the same time, Bauer said. He said there wasn't much team training involved; members of the team were already in great shape.
"We were just ready to go," Bauer said.
Their unit was sponsored by the NROTC alumni class of 1961 in dedication to General Habel, who died a few years ago. He was the Marine office instructor in 1969.
The alumni class of 1969 paid for the entry fee, meals, hotel and transportation costs.
The event is also open to civilians, but was not held last year because of the war in Iraq.
Bauer said it was a meaningful event because he got to meet veterans of the 1942 Bataan Death March. The team plans on competing again next year.
"We should have another great team next year," Bauer said. "We hope to defend our title."
