26.2 to Life

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4:48

26.2 to Life

Released Sep 22, 2023

1h 30m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

99%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

The San Quentin Prison Marathon has an unconventional route: 105 dizzying laps around a crowded prison yard. 26.2 TO LIFE is a new documentary that tells the story of incarcerated men who are members of the 1000 Mile Club, the prison's long distance running club. They train all year for this 26.2 mile race. For the men who take their places at the starting line on a cool, sunny November morning, completing the marathon means more than entrée into an elite group of athletes. It's a chance to be defined by more than their crimes. Cheering them on are a small staff of volunteer coaches, veteran marathoners who train with the runners throughout the year. The bonds they forge on the track create a community that transcends prison politics and extends beyond the prison walls as members are released. 26.2 TO LIFE is a story of transformation and second chances. The film offers a rare glimpse into a world out of bounds, as the men navigating life sentences seek redemption and freedom... or something like it.

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Lucy Mangan

Guardian

[An] intelligent, compassionate and deeply moving film.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 12, 2025

Full Review

James Jackson

Times (UK)

... The film was so nonjudgmental you soon found yourself wondering if it’s OK to find yourself rooting for real-life killers with feelgood nicknames. Because at times this felt not too far removed from an inspirational underdog sports movie.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 12, 2025

Full Review

Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

Very impressed by this very simple film.

Oct 4, 2023

Full Review

Valerie Kalfrin

AWFJ.org

... makes the compassionate case that even in prison, people deserve positive outlets to help them grow and evolve beyond anger and despair.

Oct 13, 2023

Full Review

Manuel Betancourt

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

The structure I loved, but visually it winds up all looking the same... Aesthetically and stylistically, it's a little wanting.

Oct 4, 2023

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

This extraordinary, affecting documentary by Christine Yoo cracks down on many myths of what prison might be like, and becomes a subtle rallying cry to fix a broken system.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 23, 2023

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spencer h

Super inspiring. You can't help but root for the inmates. Normally it's so easy to regard prisoners as wholly different or to forget about them altogether. This film reminds us that but for different circumstances, there but by the grace of God go I.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/02/23

Full Review

Rosalind

Very well done. Engaging. Powerful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/27/23

Full Review

Jamie R

An increbibly inspiring documentary that shed light on the vulnerability & suffering of human beings serving their time for crimes they don’t deny they committed. Everyone should watch it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/24

Full Review

Gary Q

In my opinion, the best documentary about running ever made. If you have a heart, it will move you to tears. Anyone that is fortunate to train for and run marathons, knows how hard this in the best of circumstances. What the inmates at San Quentin have to overcome is extraordinary. Above all else, the film demonstrates how broken and messed up the U.S. criminal justice system is.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

Andy P

This is an emotional rating, but damn. How many documentaries can change your opinion on both prison reform and wanting to run a marathon in 90 minutes? I watched this film on a red eye flight with no prior knowledge of it. It blew me away. I can't believe how much I care about these murderers. What a fantastic program that 1000 mile club is. What a fantastic group of people that work with the inmates. And what a fantastic director to focus on the humanity and change in these prisoners. Well done. I literally am thinking about how I can get involved with a prison near me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/24

Full Review

Gary N

Uplifting, inspiring and also greatly eye-opening. Showed a side of prison that is very rarely seen. I have hope that other prisons will see the 1000 mile club and reproduce it coast to coast.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/24

Full Review

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Christine Yoo

Director

Markelle "The Gazelle" Taylor

Self

Rahsaan "New York" Thomas

Self

Tommy Wickerd

Self

Franklin Ruona

Self

Christine Yoo

Producer

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26.2 to Life: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The San Quentin Prison Marathon has an unconventional route: 105 dizzying laps around a crowded prison yard. 26.2 TO LIFE is a new documentary that tells the story of incarcerated men who are members of the 1000 Mile Club, the prison's long distance running club. They train all year for this 26.2 mile race. For the men who take their places at the starting line on a cool, sunny November morning, completing the marathon means more than entrée into an elite group of athletes. It's a chance to be defined by more than their crimes. Cheering them on are a small staff of volunteer coaches, veteran marathoners who train with the runners throughout the year. The bonds they forge on the track create a community that transcends prison politics and extends beyond the prison walls as members are released. 26.2 TO LIFE is a story of transformation and second chances. The film offers a rare glimpse into a world out of bounds, as the men navigating life sentences seek redemption and freedom... or something like it.

Director: Christine Yoo
Producer: Christine Yoo, Carolyn Mao, Sara Jane Sluke, Hella Winston
Distributor: HOKA
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 22, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 29, 2023
Runtime: 1h 30m

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