This is the only race I've ever attended where I've been laughing while waiting for the race to begin! If you like the movie at all, you will love this … MORE
This is the only race I’ve ever attended where I’ve been laughing while waiting for the race to begin! If you like the movie at all, you will love this race. Runners get a free tour of the prison before or after the race. This alone is worth coming out for the race. There’s a costume contest every year where people are encouraged to dress up as prisoners or jailers to win prizes. The guy who runs in a full suit every year and who looks just like the character who played the warden in the movie is a riot. Half of the runners are called “inmates” and half are jailers. Whichever group of runners “beat the warden” get a discount on next year’s race. He’s so friendly and will pose with all the runners before, during (yes, runners take selfies with the warden while they pass him) and after the race. There are always nice prizes for the top three finishers in each age group. But the medals are the most amazing medals I’ve ever received. Check out the picture. They have multiple moving pieces (yes, the pick axe actually comes out of the Bible) and are the most creative medals I’ve ever seen. One warning about this race: This race is very hilly. I hate hills, but I run it every year anyway because the race is so much fun. Also, any money raised from the race is put towards keeping this historic landmark from being torn down.
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Most fun you can have at a race!
This is the only race I've ever attended where I've been laughing while waiting for the race to begin! If you like the movie at all, you will love this … MORE
This is the only race I’ve ever attended where I’ve been laughing while waiting for the race to begin! If you like the movie at all, you will love this race. Runners get a free tour of the prison before or after the race. This alone is worth coming out for the race. There’s a costume contest every year where people are encouraged to dress up as prisoners or jailers to win prizes. The guy who runs in a full suit every year and who looks just like the character who played the warden in the movie is a riot. Half of the runners are called “inmates” and half are jailers. Whichever group of runners “beat the warden” get a discount on next year’s race. He’s so friendly and will pose with all the runners before, during (yes, runners take selfies with the warden while they pass him) and after the race. There are always nice prizes for the top three finishers in each age group. But the medals are the most amazing medals I’ve ever received. Check out the picture. They have multiple moving pieces (yes, the pick axe actually comes out of the Bible) and are the most creative medals I’ve ever seen. One warning about this race: This race is very hilly. I hate hills, but I run it every year anyway because the race is so much fun. Also, any money raised from the race is put towards keeping this historic landmark from being torn down.
One of the best races!
Covid has really f-ed me up mentally, but getting to run this race and see some of my favorite running friends really helped. This is one of the most enjoyable … MORE
Covid has really f-ed me up mentally, but getting to run this race and see some of my favorite running friends really helped. This is one of the most enjoyable races out there.
Such an interesting and fun race!
This was my first year running this race and it was one of the coolest races ever. The course has a lot of hills but dotted with movie land marks … MORE
This was my first year running this race and it was one of the coolest races ever. The course has a lot of hills but dotted with movie land marks the whole way and after the race you get a free entry into the prison. Such an interesting place and everyone was so friendly and fun. I could spend all day here. After the race the town is very cute and has many small good restaurants.
You'll be reformed
The race starts and ends at the Mansfield Reformatory where the movie Shawshank Redemption was filmed. There are several movie landmarks along the route that are well-marked and available for … MORE
The race starts and ends at the Mansfield Reformatory where the movie Shawshank Redemption was filmed. There are several movie landmarks along the route that are well-marked and available for photo opportunity. The town itself is very quaint and one of its pride-and-joys is a carousel which you will pass (you also get free tickets to ride it, post race). There are a few good hills, which adds to the nicety of the course. After the race, you get a ticket to tour the Reformatory, now defunct and in a state of disrepair (or renovation, more accurately).
Oh, and at the expo (a very little one), you can meet an actor from the film.
I would recommend watching the movie before and after the race. The race was great, but the tour afterward was even better because it is full of surprises. I would definitely repeat this one.