The 2026 Clemson 8 Challenge

📅 Event Overview

Mark your calendar as we will be hosting an in-person OFFICIALLY TIMED race at 9:00 am on Sat., March 7, 2026, around the Clemson University campus along with a virtual race from March 7-14, 2026. The Challenge is open to the general public. You can complete your own run, walk, bike, hike, swim, or ski in Clemson, S.C. or on your own course - in your own town in one day or throughout the eight-day period. High schools JROTC teams will have till April 9th to complete their challenge. Your participant packet consists of a 100% cotton Comfort Colors t-shirt, a wooden nickel, a race bib, and a window decal.

🎁 New in 2026

Every race day participant will have an opportunity to win swag from the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon in New Mexico. (T-SHIRTS, WATER GLASSES, SHOT GLASS, MEDALLIONS, ETC...)

💰 Funding Goals

100% of the proceeds will benefit the Clemson University Military Affiliated student organizations. The first five Challenges raised $126,436.34 for scholarships. The 2026 goal is to raise $19,420. 1942 is the year of the Death March. Dividends from the endowment and your donations will assist in paying for multiple teams to complete in the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon in New Mexico on March 21, 2026.

📞 Contact Information

• Donations: Donations can be made online 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 Link: https://iamatiger.clemson.edu/giving/giving-to-clemson?id=9ed46b59-6d7e-4b16-88c6-961984a7efe0
• Sponsorships: If you would like to become a Race Sponsor, contact John Seketa at johnseketa@gmail.com or 864-903-1487 for more information.

🕊️ Historical Significance

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. Seven other alumni were also captured on neighboring islands during World War II.

🏆 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.

🔗 Additional Links

• Bataan Memorial Death March: After registering for the Clemson 8 Challenge, everyone is encouraged to continue their training and participate in the 2026 in-person or virtual edition of the 37th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at https://bataanmarch.com/
• Clemson University 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/

📈 Results Submission

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

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