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Runners compete in a marathon in a former prison

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Runners compete in a marathon in a former prison

David Andrewartha. He has short brown hair, purple glasses, a black tracksuit, and a pumpkin-shaped medal around his neck. Behind him is a red brick building with metal bars on the window.

David Andrewartha won this morning’s race (BBC)

Hundreds of runners took part in the marathon in the former prison.

Dorchester Prison will host two races, one on Saturday morning and one after dark, with competitors running around 60 laps across four floors.

Up to 115 people have signed up for the morning run, and about 100 people have signed up for the night run – with some planning to do both.

Runner David Andrewartha, from Cornwall, said he “cried a little” after winning the morning race in four hours and 24 minutes, adding: “It’s the first win I’ve ever won.”

Before the race, Mr Andrewartha told BBC Radio Solent: “I don’t know what kind of training you need to do for this kind of thing. I did a lot of step training, a lot of hills.”

The Green Mile, named after the Stephen King novel and American film about a death row inmate, is organized by Sussex Trail Events, which runs marathons in unusual locations including Southend Pier and a Worthing multi-storey car park.

Large L-shaped red brick structure. Part of the building is shaped like a chapel entrance and has large windows at the top. There are doors with about five people standing on the steps.Large L-shaped red brick structure. Part of the building is shaped like a chapel entrance and has large windows at the top. There are doors with about five people standing on the steps.

The event took place at Dorchester Prison (BBC).

Mr Andrewartha has competed in both pier and car park races, as well as the Shepton Mallet Prison Marathon, which he has competed in twice.

He said: “There are a lot of corridors here and the beauty of it is that when you go up one of the floors you can see the other prisoners, I mean the runners.

“When you run, you can always see people. You won’t know which part of the pack you are in because there are so many people around you.

“It confuses you a bit and I like the mental challenge.

Inside Dorchester Prison. It consists of three tiers with a metal grill covering each balcony tier.Inside Dorchester Prison. It consists of three tiers with a metal grill covering each balcony tier.

Dorchester Prison closed in 2013 (BBC)

“The mental task of going around in circles and trying not to get bored is a problem in itself.

“I’ve done so many different distances that running from A to B now seems boring.”

Sussex Trail Events recently asked runners to share their “craziest marathon ideas” such as “on a roundabout, a block of flats, a football field or an airstrip” for the April Fool’s run in 2025.

Chris Ett, one of the race organisers, said: “We’re always looking for new venues, always asking runners for ideas and trying to bring them to life.”

Dorchester Prison closed in 2013 and was bought by City and Country for £3.25 million, but plans to convert it into housing have stalled.

Since then, the prison has been used as an airsoft court, a movie set, and has hosted sleepovers, ghost tours, and comedy nights.

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