26.2 to Life premiers in Sacramento at Crest Theatre
The event team and film producer Christine Yoo pose with the Crest Theatre marquis.
Sacramento, CA (Aug. 29, 2023) - Hundreds of Sacramentans packed the Crest Theater Monday night for a special screening of ‘26.2 to Life,’ a documentary about the San Quentin residents who run a marathon every year in the prison yard.
The documentary, produced and directed by Christine Yoo, takes an in-depth look at the runners in San Quentin’s 1,000 Mile Club, their histories, and the power of running to provide redemption and change in their lives.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and former California State Senator Mark Leno co-hosted the event with Yoo. A panel discussion followed the screening.
“26.2 to Life highlights the power of volunteerism and community engagement in creating positive transformation,” Yoo said. “The film shows that change and rehabilitation are indeed possible, even for those who have historically been left behind within our prison system.”
Fifty members of the 1,000 Mile Club have been released from San Quentin, with a recidivism rate of zero.
From left to right: Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Christine Yoo, Director & Producer, Markelle "the Gazelle" Taylor (a program participant), Frank Ruona, program coach, Jim Maloney, program coach, and Marion Wickerd.
“At its core, programs like this are an essential part of public safety, ninety percent of inmates in our prisons are released and we have to do what we can to set them on the right path after they have served their time,” said Steinberg.
Mayor Steinberg has been tasked by Governor Gavin Newsom to lead the advisory council working on reimagining San Quentin and creating a new model focused rehabilitation. The advisory council’s initial findings are due out in December of this 2023.
The film will be available in select theatres on Sept. 22 and will be available for virtual screening for 72 hours from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. A list of theatres and access to the virtual screenings can be found here: SanQuentinMarathon.com
Mayor Darrell Steinberg poses for a photo, from left to right, with Timbuktu a runner who is part of the 1000 mile club, film producer and director Christine Yoo and former State California State Senator Mark Leno at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento.
