Dartmoor Prison Break returns to Princetown as escapees flee for charity
Over 100 competitors set off from HMP Dartmoor in Princetown for the annual Dartmoor Prison Break, with runners and walkers covering remarkable distances across Devon and beyond in aid of mountain rescue
A total of 133 competitors took part in the Dartmoor Prison Break endurance challenge on Saturday, May 30, starting from the gates of HMP Dartmoor in Princetown.
The annual event, which has been running since 2017, was once again based at the Dartmoor Prison Museum.
Competitors registered here before making their way to the prison gates for the official "breakout".
A Dartmoor Prison Museum spokesperson told The Moorlander: “Visitors to the Museum had the unique opportunity to watch the spectacle as 133 competitors in various disguises set off from the prison in glorious sunshine, itself an unusual spectacle in Princetown.”
Organised by the volunteer mountain rescue charity Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth, the event raises funds to support its work providing a 24-hour emergency response service across Dartmoor, Plymouth and surrounding areas.
Competitors choose their own routes from the prison, with the aim of travelling the greatest straight-line distance from the start point within one of three time categories: the six-hour Absconder, 12-hour Delinquent and 24-hour Felon.
All participants were tracked throughout the event using GPS devices equipped with an SOS function.
This year's event also introduced wardens attempting to "capture" escapees as an additional challenge.
In the six-hour Absconder category, Stephen Kemp achieved the greatest distance, reaching 24.8 miles from the prison.
Rob Chrystie finished second on 24.6 miles, followed by Peter Dewhirst on 24.4 miles. Megan Miller was fourth with 23.6 miles, while Tom Pocknell also recorded 23.6 miles to complete the top five.
The 12-hour Delinquent category was won by Seb Broomfield, who reached 50.4 miles from Dartmoor Prison.
Jemma Davies finished second with 44.6 miles, while Lee Plank covered 41.2 miles. Stuart Chappell was fourth on 41.1 miles and Rhys Roberts fifth with 36.6 miles.
In the 24-hour Felon category, Paul Stevens recorded the longest distance of the event, reaching 81.6 miles from the prison, the equivalent of travelling from HMP Dartmoor to Yeovil!
Martin French finished second on 71.1 miles, followed by Aneirin Llewellyn-Evans with 64.4 miles.
Bevan Dickerson and Elizabeth Mackenzie shared fourth and fifth places respectively after both reached 62.2 miles.
The event website states that all proceeds are used to support Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth and help maintain its emergency response capability.