The 2026 Clemson 8 Challenge

The Clemson 8 Challenge

Event Details: 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 til 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 for 2026

Prize Opportunities: 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 and Donations

• Contribution Purpose: 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Clemson University Military Affiliated student organizations.
• Previous Success: The first five Challenges raised $126,436.34 for scholarships.
• 2026 Goal: The goal is to raise $19,420, which corresponds with the year of the Death March.
• Support for Teams: Donations will assist in paying for multiple teams to participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March Marathon in New Mexico on March 21, 2026.

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.

Colonel Skardon

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.

• Endurance: Colonel Skardon had walked in the BMDM 12 times, most often a distance of 8.5 miles.
• Recognition: 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.
• Legacy: Colonel Skardon passed away on Mon., Nov. 15, 2021.

Participation Information

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/

Donate

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 Links

Donation Link

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.

Submissions

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”
   Results can ONLY be submitted from March 11th through March 18th.
3. Search for your profile using either your name or email address
4. You can check your progress and the progress of others from the results page