Jailbreak 2013

Every year, hordes of Jailbreaking Durham students set off on an exciting challenge with one simple aim: to get as far away from the bubble as possible in 36 hours. Combining the thrill of hitching hundreds of miles with raising valuable funds for charity, this event is not to be missed. So how did this years lot get on?

They’re off!

Last year, yours truly made it all the way to exotic Brighton but 2013 saw an impressive 14 teams make it onto the continent. Here are some of the best stories.

Hitchers went in all different directions

Furthest Distance From Durham

Team 6: Dan and Will

Dan and Will of Team 6 travelled 1255 miles to the sunny seaside town of Malaga. Thanks to some canny forward planning, these guys boarded a pre-arranged flight to Faro, Portugal before hitching overland, stopping off in delightful Seville for a little sight seeing on the way. Culture and tanning – good work lads.

Best Quote: “Seville cathedral>Durham cathedral…”

Furthest Overland Hitch

Emily, Ben and Henry from Team 9 enjoyed a 725 mile gastronomic tour of Western Europe, chowing down on a range of delicacies from four apples to a fancy meal at The Ritz. They finally touched down in the German city of Munich, famous for its beer, sausages and surfing. What a weekend they must have had.

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Best Quote: “Munich on four apples, two slices of bread, a plain-clothes police raid and a 34 hour coach trek”

Three-way Snuggle

There were 8 in the bed and the little one said…

The cute award has to go to the three teams that clubbed together at a Travelodge, managing to persuade the owner to give them a room to share for the night. The spooning must have been epic.

Other teams deserving a special mention include the St John’s team who hitched all the way to Plymouth and back in time for Sunday night Klute – true dedication there! The Collingwood second years of Team 25 also need a pat on the back for getting the furthest North, all the way to chilly Inverness.

The DUCK Jailbreak HQ Team

It’s not just the teams who are giving it their all. Back in Durham, this lot are constantly on stand-by, always a phone call away should any trouble arise. This year the Kent Room in Van Mildert College was their HQ, complete with two computer screens, a TV with interactive map and a constant supply of pizza.

Adam Moss, Communications and Publications Officer, told The Tab that “Jailbreak gives people the chance to have legendary experiences to boast about to their grandchildren. Like being able to say you once hitchhiked in a Porsche, or dined in The Ritz in Munich.

He went on to say “it’s these things that brighten up your university experience.  And you’ve actually got to help the charities you wanted to support – you can’t ask for much more than that really. All the participants should be proud of themselves.”

So what are you waiting for? Next year you too could be sipping coffee in Amsterdam or munching on croissants under the Eiffel tower. Don’t miss out on DUCKS next Jailbreak adventure!