Encouragement in Every Step: A Timed Run Inspires Change Behind Bars
Report by Catherine Gunnewicht
Prison Reform Trust organised a timed run for women living in prison to train for and to run a 3-hour timed run within the grounds of HMP New Hall, to benefit their physical and mental health whilst raising funds for PRT. Tara was the brains behind the project and she enlisted the support of Prison Physical Education Instructors and selected members of the London running community.
What a day I had with Tara on Friday!
We left Ealing at 6:45 a.m. and drove up to Wakefield. After waiting in the car park for the man with the race chips, we entered the prison together. We signed in, showed ID, and locked away our phones, watches, and other prohibited belongings before being escorted to the gymnasium.
Tara immediately began setting up for the race. The residents taking part were already there, and I initially felt a bit unsure of myself. I decided to chat with them about their running journeys, and the 16-week training programme Tara had organised. They spoke with real enthusiasm about how running and exercise had changed them. The gym was clearly a focal point of prison life — many residents even worked there. For all of them, this would be their longest run ever, and excitement was high.
Originally offered a half marathon, they’d opted instead for a three-hour timed run to see how far they could go. The gym buzzed with energy and optimism as more people arrived — seventeen staff members, around twenty other community runners, some from The Running Charity and sixteen residents,
I spotted Imogen Boddy, who had been invited to the event, and went over for a chat. She was lovely – humble and down to earth. She is a British ultramarathon runner and the world record holder as the youngest female to have run the length of the UK at the age of 22 and the fastest female globally to have completed the UK’s National Three Peak challenge on foot.
Soon it was time to warm up. We tied our timing chips around our ankles and headed to the start line, where Tara had laid out gels and sweets for everyone. After a lively countdown, we were off. It felt strange not starting my Garmin, but also oddly freeing. The first 400m loop took about three minutes, and I tried not to think about how many times I’d be repeating it over three hours! I soon settled in, though I wasn’t too fond of the uphill stretch – one I’d be facing 40 odd times.
I joined James, a volunteer from The Running Charity, and a resident for about 45 minutes. We had some candid, inspiring conversations before I lost them during a water stop. Later, I met another resident who kept saying she couldn’t do it. I decided that helping her mattered more than my pace. We walked together, chatting about prison life and how exercise had transformed her time there. Gradually, I convinced her to run the downhill sections, and we fell into a rhythm – walk the uphill, run the downhill.
After she paused for a rest, I met another woman with a hamstring injury who was determined to walk the full three hours. We spent the final 45 minutes together as she shared her story – no self-pity, just quiet strength. Her job as a gym orderly, she said, had been her lifeline, giving her purpose and structure.
Later, we rejoined the first resident and finished the run together. The support throughout was incredible – from staff cheering along the route to Tara’s incredible team from Prison Reform Trust and even the prison governor, who ran alongside residents, chatting and encouraging them.
I was struck by the genuine warmth between everyone, residents supporting and encouraging each other, staff encouraging residents and vice versa. And also Imogen walking for two hours with one resident simply to listen.
By the end, heavy rain had set in, but most of the day had been dry, and we were even treated to a rainbow.
Afterwards, we gathered in the gym for hot tea and pastries that Tara had brought. Imogen gave a short speech before presenting medals to all the participants. Finally, we were escorted back to reception, signed out, and began the long drive home to Ealing.
Tara had organised a truly remarkable day — well-planned, inspiring, and deeply moving. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and humbling experience.
She and Prison Reform Trust are looking to organise more such events in other women’s prisons.
