Freedom Run, Freedom Trail to raise funds for Death March memorial project

MARIVELES, Bataan – The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), along with the Bataan provincial government and tourism council, vowed to fully support the plan of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) to rehabilitate and maintain the Death March markers in Mariveles, as part of the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the World War II - Bataan Death March.

The project’s fund will be raised through the Bataan Freedom Run and Mariveles-San Fernando-CapasFreedom Trail, two athletic events that aim to relive the heroism and valor of the Filipino and American soldiers by tracing the route of the Death March.

“This event is a good venue for the AFAB to show its gratitude to our heroes. Their courage to fight for our country will always be remembered. We are proud to say that the whole area of the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) has once witnessed the heroism of our fellow countrymen,” AFAB Chairman and Administrator Emmanuel D. Pineda said.

“The AFAB and the FAB Investor, Locator Association(FABILA) are thankful to PVAO, PVB and the organizer, Without Limits Consultancy, for giving us the opportunity to host the Bataan Freedom Run and Freedom Trail,” Pineda added.

“We will, once again, witness another milestone in the Philippine history as thousands of Filipinos, relatives of American veterans and international partners gather for this momentous event,” he added.

Slated on April 2, 2017, the Bataan Freedom Run is open to serious and recreational runners, children and even pets who can opt to run a 42.195 kilometer full marathon, a 21kilometer half-marathon or the shorter 1,5 and 10-kilmeter courses.

The Freedom Run will trace the route of the Bataan Death March and will start at Kilometer Zero in Mariveles.

On the other hand, the Freedom Trail will feature a punishing 160kilometer run with individual and team relay categories for marathoners, as well as similar-distanced bike trail.

The new event will be held from April 10 – 11and will cover the Death March route from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac.

"Once again, Philippine Veterans Bank, together with our partners, are putting a segment of our nation’s history into the forefront of our national consciousness with the Bataan Freedom Run and the Freedom Trail,” said PVB Chairman Dr. Roberto F. de Ocampo.

“These events are not only challenging physically but also mentally to the runners and bikers but they are doing this to honor the World War II veterans who endured and made the ultimate sacrifice during the Death March 75 years ago.”

To register and find out more about the Bataan Freedom Run and the Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail and the route, visit http:// www.withoutlimits.ph/component/k2/ item/66-bfr2017.html/