Dartmoor Prison Break

This major event is an endurance challenge, whereby the entrants determine their own route from HMP Dartmoor with the aim to achieve the furthest distance (as the crow flies) in a given time.

We are lucky enough to be able to use the fantastic prison setting for your escape with a unique start planned. It’s also a perfect place for your friends and family to see you off and take some fantastic pictures of your escape.

Uniquely, the event is professionally organised by local charity volunteer mountain rescue team, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth to whom all funds raised from the event go. These essential funds help their objectives ensuring the 24/7/365 safety of all members of the public in Dartmoor, Plymouth and surrounding areas.

There are 3 categories with a 6 hour ‘Absconder, a 12 hour 'Delinquent' and 24 hour 'Felon' cut off. Whilst individual route choice is very much a part of the event it will be controlled in terms of restricted to only using public rights of way so no tunnelling or building gliders! Escapees are also restricted from entering any bird nesting areas. Information on this can be found here, http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/wildlife-and-heritage/wildlife/birds/birds-nesting

All escapees will be monitored for the full duration of the event by a GPS tracker device and associated software for the Event Director. This system allows continuous participant tracking and the facility for participants to operate an ‘SOS’ button. Friends and family can monitor progress of individual participants at https://track.trail.live/event/dartmoor-prison-break

Although this fantastic event attracts ultra runners from across the UK, we strongly encourage anybody to take part as a personal challenge. Maybe you can run (or walk very quickly) home to Plymouth, Bodmin in Cornwall or Exeter, or handcuff yourself to your best friend and make good your escape in unison! Previous escapees have made it as far as Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, even Bristol - some even made it as far as their favourite local in Plymouth! This is your challenge at your pace! We have some brilliant escape stories from the past events. Some event write ups are available on this website.

Medals will be given to all escapees. As this is an event to raise funds for Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth (registered charity) there will be no main prizes offered. We pride the event on catering for everybody and in past years this ethos has seen a very positive and inclusive feel to the event, producing some great camaraderie in escape attempts!

Can you beat the wardens?! This year there will be wardens out and about trying to catch you!!

Please note this is your escape and beating the warden is not compulsory but certainly an added challenge!