In 2024, 26.2 to Life, a strong documentary by filmmaker Christine Yoo, introduced the story of San Quentin’s 1,000 Mile Membership to audiences worldwide. The movie follows incarcerated males coaching for the San Quentin Marathon, held annually on a quarter-mile loop inside the jail yard. Past incomes vital reward, the documentary impressed change—spurring the creation of latest jail operating golf equipment and beginning discussions about rehabilitation. Plans for 2025 are already underway, and the influence of 26.2 to Life continues to develop.
Reaching audiences internationally
The 1,000 Mile Membership developed after a small group of volunteer coaches was permitted to start out a operating membership within the jail nearly 18 years in the past, with the thought being that inmates may rack up 1,000 miles throughout their interval of incarceration. 26.2 to Life had its broadcast debut on ESPN, bringing the story of the 1,000 Mile Membership into dwelling rooms throughout the U.S. The movie is now streaming on ESPN+ and continues to air on ESPN2. Its international attain expanded with in-flight screenings on 4 completely different airways, making the movie accessible to greater than 300 million passengers.
26.2 to Life has additionally acquired vital acclaim, with Greatest Directing and Greatest Producing nominations on the Ladies’s Picture Awards. In February, the story will cross worldwide borders with its BBC premiere within the U.Ok.
Inspiring transformation behind bars
Past its cinematic success, 26.2 to Life has created change. This fall, the movie was screened at prisons in North Dakota, Oregon, California and Hawaii, providing hope to incarcerated people. As one volunteer at Columbia River Correctional Middle famous, “Your movie provides a strong message of hope and a imaginative and prescient for doable adjustments within the penal system.”
The documentary has additionally impressed new jail operating golf equipment. Seven golf equipment have been established throughout the U.S., with six extra within the works. To help these efforts, the crew developed a free handbook to information the creation of latest golf equipment, providing sensible recommendation, pattern exercises and tales of transformation. You possibly can obtain a duplicate of their handbook right here.
New jail marathon documentary chronicles San Quentin’s 1,000 Mile Membership
Trying forward
The momentum isn’t slowing down. Beginning in 2025, 26.2 to Life will change into required viewing for all 43,000 staff of the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation as a part of their annual coaching. In January, the movie will even be showcased on the U.S. ninth Circuit Court docket of Appeals’ annual convention to foster discussions amongst judges about rehabilitation and alter.
The mission to encourage continues with plans to carry the movie to extra prisons throughout the nation and to increase the distribution of the 1000 Mile Membership Handbook. To be taught extra about 26.2 to Life, head to their web site right here. To stream the documentary, click on right here.