Dartmoor Prison Break Ultra Challenge

The Dartmoor Prison Break locks in for Saturday 30 May to Sunday 31 May 2026, starting at midday from HMP Dartmoor in Devon, England. This is not your typical trail race—it's a mass breakout. You determine your own route across Dartmoor using only public rights of way (no tunnelling or building gliders), with the aim of covering the furthest distance as the crow flies within your chosen time limit. Friends and family can track your escape in real time via GPS tracker device.

The Wardens will be out and about trying to catch you—nobody knows where they will pop up. Beating the warden is not compulsory, but it certainly adds to the challenge. You can escape solo or handcuff yourself to your best friend and make good your escape in unison. Previous escapees have made it as far as Marazion in Cornwall, even close to Bristol, and some made it as far as their favourite local pub in Plymouth.

All escapees receive a finisher medal. This event attracts ultra-runners from across the UK, but organisers strongly encourage anyone to take part as a personal challenge—run or walk very quickly home to Plymouth, Bodmin, Exeter, or wherever your escape route leads. This is your event at your pace.

Mandatory kit check before the start: waterproof jacket with taped seams, waterproof trousers with taped seams, head torch with spare batteries or power supply, mobile phone, compass and relevant maps (or digital mapping), whistle, water bottles or bladder, hat, gloves, spare base layer long sleeve top, emergency food, emergency foil blanket, and a first aid kit.

Entries open 1 October 2025 and close 15 May 2026. As of now, 119 participants have signed up. Contact the Wardens at [email protected] for any questions. Visit the event website at https://www.dartmoorprisonbreak.com/ for full details. Escape plan your own route, outrun the Wardens, and see how far you can get from HMP Dartmoor.