Escape from Alcatraz (triathlon)

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Runners completing the third leg of the 2022 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.

Escape from Alcatraz is the name for two different

biking section of a traditional triathlon) held on a shorter course entirely within San Francisco.[1] However, a new public triathlon, also known by the name Escape from Alcatraz, is now run by IMG
.

Original Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

The first Escape from Alcatraz was proposed by Joe Oakes after he participated in the 1979

Dipsea
foot race, but by making it an out-and-back run rather than a one-way course, became known as a Double Dipsea. The course has remained the same over the years and celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2015. Participants are limited to members of the Dolphin Club and The South End Club. The Dolphin Club is the host and sponsor of the event.
[2]

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon (IMG)

Athletes on a beach section of the running part of the triathlon.
Athletes on the cycling part of the triathlon.

The annual public Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, organized by IMG, now takes place in early June. The current course consists of a one-and-a-half-mile (2.4 km) swim starting near Alcatraz Island, a one-half-mile (0.80 km) run from the bay to the transition zone at Marina Green, an eighteen-mile (29 km) bike ride, and an eight-mile (13 km) run. The run portion includes a notorious section called the "sand ladder" at mile five, a climb from Baker Beach back up to the road that is a combination of sand and about 400 uneven log steps. The event had about 1700 participants in 2009. Entry is by Lottery process for most of the slots and the remainder is through qualification, which done through a good rank in the previous Escape from Alcatraz, or in four other triathlon races held during the preceding year.

While entry is via lottery, they give preference to previous entrants.

The one exception to the June timeframe was when the Americas Cup sailing event came to the Bay Area. The resulting shift to March resulted in colder than normal conditions (swim) and more challenging tides than the normal date. The impact of this was a 3 fold increase in swimmers 'rescued' from the water, many more than normal were pulled out and transported to shallow water. They were allowed to continue the event and receive medals for finishing.

The Escape from Alcatraz triathlon was ranked as the number-one triathlon by Inside Triathlon Magazine for 2006.[citation needed]

Notes

  1. ^ "About the Alcatraz Aquathlon & Swim" Archived 2007-05-04 at the Wayback Machine, based on an article written by Katherine Vaz in the 1983 summer edition of Triathlon Magazine, accessed April 11, 2007
  2. ^ http://dcefat.com

External links