THE TAMALPA SAN QUENTIN 1000 MILE CLUB

San Quentin State Prison has a running club – the Tamalpa San Quentin 1000 Mile Club — which Tamalpa Runners organized 17 years ago and which Tamalpa Runners has coached and funded ever since then, with Frank Ruona leading throughout its history.  As its name implies, all of the runners who are members of the San Quentin 1000 Mile Club are, or have been, inmates of San Quentin State Prison. The club has been extraordinarily popular with the prisoners, counting 70 current members and 341 members over the years, 56 of whom have completed at least one marathon run on the tiny ¼ mile loop laid out in the exercise yard, which notably includes six 90-degree turns.

Only one of the 27 Tamalpa San Quentin 1000 Mile Club runners who have been paroled has re-offended, in contrast to the total California prison population, which, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, has averaged a recidivism rate of around 50% over the past ten years. Although it is not possible to claim that this success rate for paroled Tamalpa San Quentin 1000 Mile Club runners is the result solely of their participation in the running club, at the very least this data suggests that the club provides a constructive and supportive activity for those inmates who have chosen a positive direction for their lives.

Most of the paroled Tamalpa San Quentin 1000 Mile Club members have continued to run and to enter local races. One noteworthy parolee, Markelle Taylor, recently ran the Boston Marathon and was covered by the New York Times. Many of the paroled club members have enjoyed noteworthy employment success after release.  

The Tamalpa San Quentin 1000 Mile Club is staffed entirely by volunteers. Currently, there are 8 Tamalpa running coaches and 7 community volunteers who staff the workouts and running events. The coaches and volunteers organize training sessions of 60-90 minutes every other week and there are 9 formal races scheduled for 2023, including a marathon in November. Each runner keeps a running log and reports his mileage to a volunteer record-keeper at the training sessions.

Tax deductible donations will be gladly accepted at:  

Tamalpa Runners Inc
PO Box 4132
San Rafael, CA 94913-4132

Please make sure to add in the memo sections of your check or online donation:  SQ1000 donation 

Venmo:  Tamalpa Runners (@tamalparunner)
PayPal:  Tamalpa Runners