Triathlon: Dare to Escape Alcatraz
In celebration of 40 years of triathletes fearlessly making their Escape from Alcatraz, this years San Francisco Triathlon is another way to experience the thrill of ESCAPE in 2021.
Following the normal race format, athletes will be lining on 14/15 August to challenge themselves– the Dare to Escape starts in the water. The iconic element of this unique race is its fiercely challenging swim, where you can test your will to escape the strong currents, cold water and unpredictable weather,
The Escape route:
Featuring a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the shore, an 18-mile bike ride and an eight-mile run through San Francisco, this race is considered one of the most challenging triathlons in the world.
A paddle steamer with all the history behind it, sets sail for Alcatraz. When the ship’s horn sounds the race starts with the athletes diving of the steamer in the shark-infested water. Nothing like a shark behind you to spur you on to your PB swim.
The Trailer
Triathletes from around the globe take the plunge into San Francisco Bay over the week-end of Sat/Sun 14/15 August to take part in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Several iconic races have come and gone since the early 1980s, but in its 40th year, the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon continues to grow and remain a bucket list race for triathletes from around the world. World Champions, Olympic Medalists and the best amateur triathletes from 50 states and over 40 countries have ‘made the escape.’
Entries are limited to 2,000 competitors who either qualify through the Escape to Alcatraz Triathlon Series or land a lucky spot on the ferry through the random lottery. Once in, athletes are put to the ultimate test when they take on San Francisco’s legendary Bay with a 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the shores of the St. Francis Yacht Club, steep hills of the 18 mile bike, and rugged terrain of the 8 mile run through the trails of the Golden Gate Recreational Area.
Consistently ranked as a favourite event among triathletes, this thrilling race is a virtual postcard of the City by the Bay.
The Stars
This years star cast is no different than previous years with the defending champion Ben Kanute racing to maintain his title and take a fourth Escape for Alcatraz win. Other big names in the pro field include 2016 Ironman 70.3 world champion Holly Lawrence (GBR), last weekend’s winner of Ironman 70.3 Boulder Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR), seven-time Ironman champion Ben Hoffman (USA) and two-time Xterra world champ Bradley Weiss (RSA).
