Not making mistakes in your life is inevitable. It can significantly affect your mental health and future when your mistakes become life-altering. Markelle Taylor sets an excellent example by running the Boston marathon despite serving an 18-year sentence at San Quentin State Prison. Here is how Markelle, The Gazelle of San Quentin, ran marathons while imprisoned.
The Running History of Markelle Taylor
Markelle joined the track team in San Quentin in the early stages of his sentence. The team's volunteer coaches quickly noticed his zeal and efforts on the track. According to CBS News, he excelled under the coaches' tutelage and earned himself the nickname "The Gazelle of San Quentin."
He won almost every race after joining the prison's 1000 Mile Club, and you can confirm criminal records by visiting lookupinmate.org, significantly contributing to his qualifying for the Boston Marathon. However, he couldn't participate since the date set for the race was within his sentence. He got released on parole in 2019, a month before the race, which meant he could participate in the Boston Marathon.
The Boston Marathon is not new to record-breaking feats by athletes globally. In the 1967 Boston Marathon, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to complete a marathon. Markelle's qualification for the marathon was a second chance at life, and he had to make good use of the opportunity presented.
Markelle the Gazelle On the Boston Marathon
Qualifying for the Boston Marathon was the first step; Markelle Taylor still had to run the race and perform. The San Quentin Journal reported he had broken the three-hour marathon barrier by crossing the finish line in 2 hours and 52 minutes. His average speed per mile was around 6 minutes and 50 seconds, an exemplary performance for all long-distance runners.
Instead of running too fast initially, Markelle maintained a steady pace like a professional long-distance marathon runner. According to him, the Boston Marathon was not his first marathon, but among the easiest. His coaches, running friends, and supporters had a lot of good things to say about him minutes after the race.
His mental toughness and agility seemed to fascinate many when on the track. He also had more than enough support from the community, with prominent coaches like Diana Fitzpatrick. The community of Tamalpa Runners soon elected Markelle Taylor to their board to keep him on an even keel.
What Inspired Taylor to Run
Markelle Taylor was not a professional athlete before serving time in jail. It was at 27 when he was sentenced to 15 years in San Quentin for second-degree murder. During the court proceedings, Markelle revealed he grew up a domestic and sexual violence victim and later developed a drinking problem.
The 15-year prison sentence allowed Markelle to break out of the old patterns and turn a new leaf. He used this as inspiration to grow up, mature, and be wise to be his best version.
It was after Markelle Taylor witnessed his friend commit suicide after being denied parole for the fifth time that he decided to start running. In San Quentin, he became the fastest runner in the 1000 Mile Club because of his leg speed, smooth strides, and grace under pressure. He quickly became one of the best long-distance athletes imprisoned by using running as therapy and an escape route to keep himself grounded.
Markelle Taylor's Life After the Boston Marathon
A lot has changed in the life of Markelle Taylor after running the Boston Marathon. Before the race, he lived in a San Francisco re-entry facility with specific requirements for the residents. They had to take a Breathalyzer test, pass through a metal detector and remove their shoes for a contraband check every time they entered the premises. Currently, Markelle lives in Tiburon in his subsidized one-bedroom apartment.
However, Markelle Taylor cannot escape the challenges faced by any formerly incarcerated Black man. There are some job positions he cannot qualify for because of his prison history. Some of his jobs include working in a shelter-in-place motel run by Catholic Charities for formerly homeless people.
One of his passions after life in prison is helping other people change their lives, since he can relate to the obstacles these individuals face. He works for minimum wage at a grocery store to make ends meet after the non-profit contract expired.
Although Markelle Taylor is no longer a long-distance runner, the symbolism of marathons is not lost. He insists that running is a humbling experience that helps him achieve peace of mind.
Markelle's story is proof that things in life happen for a reason. Without the San Quentin sentence, he would not have become a record-breaking marathon runner, developed his stable presence, and recovered from alcohol dependence.
