The Clemson 8 Challenge

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

The Clemson 8 Challenge is open to the general public. We are hosting an in-person race at 9:00 am on Sat., March 8, 2025, along with a virtual race from March 8-15, 2025. You can complete your own walk, run, bike, hike, swim, or ski in Clemson, S.C. or on your own course - in your own town. And you can complete it in one day or throughout the eight-day period. Your participant packet consists of 100% cotton Comfort Colors t-shirt or Gildan brand tank top, wooden nickel, race bib and window decal. There is no prize money awarded for this event.

🎯 Fundraising Goals

• Proceeds: 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Clemson University Military Affiliated student organizations.
• Previous Challenges: The first four Challenges raised $113,127.34.
• 2025 Goal: The 2025 goal is to raise $19,420.
• Support: Dividends from the endowment and your donations will assist in paying for up to ten students to complete in the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon in New Mexico on March 22, 2025.

💰 Donation Information

Donations can be made on-line during your registration or if you want a tax deduction, please contact Amy Craft at the Clemson University Foundation M-F from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm EST at 864-656-1240, acserna@clemson.edu or mail a check to: Clemson University Foundation, Attn: Amy Craft, P.O. Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633 On the for line, write: Bataan Endowment.

Direct online link: https://iamatiger.clemson.edu/giving/giving-to-clemson?id=9ed46b59-6d7e-4b16-88c6-961984a7efe0

🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities

If you would like to become a Race Sponsor, contact John Seketa at johnseketa@gmail.com or 864-903-1487 for more information.

🗓️ Historical Context

On April 9, 1942, six Clemson alumni became prisoners of war with tens of thousands of their brothers-in-arms when American troops who had been fighting in the Philippine theater of WWII were ordered to surrender to the Japanese. They were marched North some 70 miles by their ruthless captors in what would come to be known as the Bataan Death March, one of the most notorious war crimes in history.

Already weak and starving from months of intense fighting and illness, the POWs were herded with other sick, wounded and starving soldiers through the searing heat of the Philippine jungles. Thousands died. Those who survived the march then had to survive for years in the inhumane and brutal conditions of Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, and the sinking by our own Navy of unmarked prison ships trying to steal the POW’s away to the mainland towards the end of the war.

👤 Colonel Skardon's Legacy

Colonel Skardon, 104, was the last living member of this illustrious group. He was well known as the only survivor of the real Bataan Death March who walked in the annual Bataan Memorial Death March (BMDM) at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., one of the toughest and most popular “ultramarathons” in the world.

⚖️ Honors and Remembrance

On Thurs., Nov. 11, 2021 (Veteran's Day), Colonel Skardon was awarded with a star in a private ceremony and a rank of Honorary Brigadier General. On Mon., Nov. 15., 2021, General Skardon passed away.

📅 Upcoming Events

After registering for the Clemson 8 Challenge, everyone is encouraged to continue their training and participate in the 2025 in-person or virtual edition of the 36th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at https://bataanmarch.com/

📜 Clemson Scroll of Honor

For more information on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country from Clemson A&M College and Clemson University, visit the Clemson University Scroll of Honor website: https://soh.alumni.clemson.edu/

🎖️ POW Recognition

Here is a list of 24 known Clemson graduates and 1 former student who were a P.O.W.

🌍 World War II

• Theodore Cuyler Bigger: Army Air Force Captain who survived the Bataan Death March.
• Martin Crook, Jr.: Army 1LT captured by the Japanese and survived the Bataan Death March. Details
• William R. English: Army Captain captured by the Japanese on Cebu Island. Details
• Albert M. George: Army Major captured by the Japanese on the island of Mindanao.

📖 Korean War

• Malcom Brodie Edens: Air Force Major, died Missing in Action. Details
• William H. Funchess: Army 1Lt captured by the Chinese Communist Army.

🇻🇳 Vietnam War

• William Renwick Austin II: Air Force Captain captured by the North Vietnamese.
• Robert Fant: Navy Lt. Commander captured by the North Vietnamese.
• Samuel R. Vaughan: Air Force 1Lt captured by the North Vietnamese.

🏆 Results Submission

To submit results for the virtual challenge, simply follow these steps:

1. Click the results tab on the Clemson 8 home page.
2. Click “Submit Virtual Results”
   1. Results can ONLY be submitted from March 11th through March 18th.
3. Search for your profile using either your name or email address.
4. Check your progress and the progress of others from the results page.