Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread

I did it in 2010 and it was great!  I was totally unprepared for the hills on the bike though.  I'm hoping to get in on the second lottery draw for this one. 

I didn't think the sand ladder was a tough as it is talked up to be.  (however i didn't run up it, i just took it easy following my race plan)

Pay attention to all the information on the swim sightings and it will really benefit your swim. 

Have a blast!

I'm also in for the Escape!  I live in SF, and have run (walked actually) the Sand Ladder many times.  It's definitely a beast, but definitely doable.  

Looking forward to June 10th!

Yes.  Very well supported.  We'll practically be lined on either side with kayaks.  Be sure to go to a pre race meeting.  Sighting on certain landmarks will be clearly explained.  

I swam Alcatraz for the first time this past August on a very choppy day with wakes from big ships off in the distance, and I did just fine (Compared to other triathletes, I am not a strong swimmer at all!).  It was actually easy to sight on the landmarks.  They're huge.

I keep hearing that the swim is really hard? I looked at swim times from last year and the times look not so bad. Is the current at the swimmers backs at any point?

Ok I am so flippin excited.... haven't even gotten in BUT I decided today I sooo want to do this race I am calling the charities tomorrow for a charity slot, fingers crossed I get one .

I have only been swimming a few years but, much to my surprise,  in my triathlon this season it seemed my swim was my strongest of the three, who knew ?!

If you don't get into EFA, there are at least 2 other triathlons that are very similar that include an Alcatraz crossing - Tri California's Triathlon at Alcatraz and Envirosport's Escape from the Rock.

Hey Enginerd thanks for info! I did get a charity slot with Children of Peru team and am super excited! 

San Fran is amazing.

I got in on the first lottery.  Did it in '08 - favorite race I've ever done.  Worth the price of admission.

The swim is well supported.  If you get off course they'll put you back on course.  You have 1 hour to complete the swim.  At 1 hour, they round everybody up who's still in the water, drop them off at the end of the swim, and let everyone continue on with the course. (At least that's what they've done in previous years.)

The swim is the easiest part of the race.  If you listen for the sighting & other instructions at the pre-race meeting and follow those instructions the current will do most of the work for you!  Depending on conditions, the cold and chop, and the fear of what's below (if it's your first time) are the biggest challenges.

Very excited!

Andi

Are you interested in running the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon 2012? Right to Play is sponsoring five athletes! To sign up, click here!

Right to Play is the leading international humanitarian and development organization using the transformative power of sport and play to build essential skills in children and thereby drive social change in communities affected by war, poverty and disease. Right to Play creates a safe place for children to learn and fosters the hope that is essential for children to envision and realize a better future. For more information, visit www.righttoplayusa.org.

 We ask that all participants meet a fundraising minimum of $3,000. It costs just $50 to provide sport and play programs for an entire year, so entrants support 60 children by meeting this goal. Participants will be set up with an individual fundraising page and personal assistance to help them in meeting their goals. Fundraising ideas may include an online giving campaign, use of social media outlets, gatherings where you feature Right To Play, etc. Our goal from participating in the Escape from Alcatraz is to raise enough funds to support 300 children.

 If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

How cool you are coming from the UK! I think you will love San Francisco.  Still working on where to stay.

It's harder than the profile looks.  Sorry - it just is!  There are a lot of 90 degree turns at the end of hairy downhills - and you get to go up them in reverse.  It's very technical.  On one hill turn in particular I saw a few people who weren't ready for the steep grade after a turn and they stood up in the wrong gear - and fell right over on the 15+% grade.  My recommendation is to know the course ahead of time by driving it.  This will help a lot.

And yes, you're right, the bike and run are much more challenging than the swim.  (Most of the run is a trail run.)

Andi

Hi All

Can anyone give me advice on bike choice for the event. I've heard the course is very hilly and wondered if there was a consensus on tri bike versus road bike with bars. Any help much appreciated

ps I'm travelling with bike from the UK. In some ways was hoping my road bike would be okay so I can use it to ride around SF for the week.

Pete

I am renting a road bike based on the elevation profile and that I'd rather not box up my tri bike.  I'm sure it will be fine though i'm sure the pros will still be using their tri bikes.

X2 there are a lot of options for renting - even vry high end carbon road bikes - and it's less costly than shipping or flying the bike.  I'm renting because I don't have a road bike and prefer it on this course.

Andi