The first ever Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail promises to be a historic event as runner and bikers from the Philippines and other countries will run and bike along the actual route of the Death March this coming April 10, 2017.
The Freedom Trail has three events: the 160 km ultra-marathon which has a single and 8 or 16 man relay; the “Padyak para sa Kagitingan” bike trail and the Freedom Ride for big bikes with engines of 400cc and up.
There are four history pit stops awaiting participants along the historic trail. The Flaming Sword in Pilar, Bataan; the Layac Junction in Hermosa, Bataan; the old San Fernando Train station in Pampanga and the Capas Shrine at Tarlac. Freedom Trail participants can join and register at any of the pit stops, and get souvenir items.
What’s more is that World War II re-enactors shall be in all the pit stops to give a short presentation and selfie opportunities for everyone.
“The Bataan Death March is probably the best known Philippine WWII event in the world. There are marches, commemorations and markers around the globe. But in the Philippines, we are doing this on the actual site of the Death March.” said Mike Villa-Real, Head of Veterans Bank’s Corporate and Consumer Relations Division.
“Today, we continue to remember and relive their sacrifices which we hope will create awareness among our younger generation. The Freedom Trail is meant to remember and pay honor to the heroism of our Filipino soldiers who risked their lives to defend our country.” Villa-Real added.
Proceeds from the Freedom Trail will be used to fund the restoration and maintenance of World War II Historical Markers including the Death March Kilometers along the route.
The Freedom Trail is presented by Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and co-presented by History Channel Asia and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), in coordination with the Provincial Government of Bataan and Pampanga, the City Governments of Balanga and San Fernando, the Municipal Government of Capas, the Bataan Tourism Council, the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan Investor Locator Association (FABILA), ANC News Channel, CLTV-36, Asian Journal, Hotel Sogo, AAP Travel, and with Without Limits as race consultant.
For more information, please visit the Facebook pages of Bataan Freedom Run and Freedom Trail or contact (02) 2637768.
To register online for Bataan Freedom Run and Freedom Trail, visit http://bit.ly/PVBFreedomRun-FreedomTrail2017
To donate, visit http://withoutlimits.ph/component/k2/item/66-bfr2017.html