‘26.2 to Life’: The Must-See Doc About Running a Marathon in California’s Most Notorious Prison
Daily Beast, November 20, 2022: ‘26.2 to Life’: The Must-See Doc About Running a Marathon in California’s Most Notorious Prison
“San Quentin State Prison has long been a central locale in American life. In the 1930s, it became Hollywood’s go-to prison, home to salty crooks played by Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney. During the Black Power era, leading prison radical George Jackson met his fate there. The prison’s Marin County location places it in the middle of the resource-rich Bay Area, making it accessible to visitors like the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors and even Mark Zuckerberg.
“Now, a new documentary, 26.2 to Life, brings audiences inside the storied walls of what denizens call ‘The Q.’ As the title indicates, the film is about incarcerated marathon runners, many of whom are serving life sentences. They’re part of San Quentin’s 1000 Mile Club, whose members train with volunteer coaches for an annual 26.2-mile race consisting of 105 taxing laps around the crowded prison yard.
“Unlike a marathon, the documentary runs only 85 minutes—and the experience for viewers is far from grueling.
“Directed and produced by Christine Yoo, 26.2 to Life recently premiered at DOC NYC, an annual documentary film festival now in its 13th year. The Daily Beast contributor Hella Winston is also a producer of the film, which is viewable online through Nov. 27. Along with Rahsaan Thomas, who co-hosts the popular podcast Ear Hustle from inside the prison, San Quentin’s accomplished runner Markelle Taylor—who recently ran the New York Marathon after being released from The Q in 2019—is featured prominently in the film.”
Additional reading:
Women and Hollywood, November 10, 2022: DOC NYC 2022 Women Directors: Meet Christine Yoo – “26.2 to Life”
AVFF2020, October 9, 2020: Panel - 26.2 TO LIFE: THE SAN QUENTIN PRISON MARATHON... A Film in Progress
