One of the most gruelling and iconic races, the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, will draw gutsy age group and professional athletes together once again to leap from the safety of a ferry into the freezing waters of San Francisco Bay.
The long-standing epic event is combining its race weekend with the Professional Triathletes Organization (PTO) T100 Triathlon World Tour San Francisco again this year. The 1.5-mile swim in strong currents, 18-mile ride up the steep hills that made the city famous, and an 8-mile run that includes the calf-cramping Sand Ladder, is as much a test of mental strength as it is physical ability.
Female pro field promises excitement
The Escape from Alcatraz returns as the second stop on the T100 Triathlon World Tour. In contrast to the T100 Singapore race, which launched this year’s series in April and imploded many pro athletes’ performances in the gruelling heat, athletes will be layering up to battle one of the coldest swims in triathlon.
In a surprising first win at T100 Singapore, Great Britain’s Kate Waugh returns to the start line against some tough competition. Americans Taylor Knibb, Taylor Spivey and Lisa Becharas are all heavy-hitters, as well as Canadian Paula Findlay who’s been on a winning streak at the Ironman 70.3 distance. Knibb holds the bike course record, clocking and average speed of 37 km/hr last year, and taking the win over Great Britain’s Kat Matthews in second and Germany’s Laura Philipp in third.
Australia’s Ashley Gentle will be looking for redemption after a tough race in Singapore. Switzerland’s Julie Derron, Great Britain’s Jessica Learmonth and Wildcard Vittoria Lopes from Brazil are poised to challenge the field to take the front. With Matthews and Philipp missing from the start line, it could go to the wire on the run after what will likely be a strong bike from Knibb and Findlay.
Will the men see another photo finish?
The men’s race is equally stacked with defending champion, Marten Van Riel from Belgium returning to battle it out once again with New Zealand’s Kyle Smith and Germany’s Rico Bogen. Last year the trio put on a spectacular sprint on the blue carpet with Van Riel claiming victory in a photo finish with Smith, and Bogen only three seconds back in third. Fans may be treated to another thrilling showdown with all three athletes back for another round.
Spectators can also expect a shakedown of last year’s winners with the likes of Jelle Geens from Belgium, Vincent Luis of France, Dutchman Youri Keulen, Spain’s Benito Lopez, and Americans Sam Long, Justin Riele, Morgan Pearson, Jason West and Marc Dubrick, who are all heavyweights sure to challenge the field.
The T100 pro race kicks off Saturday, May 31, through cold waters, steep climbs, and gritty terrain. The age group field competes on Sunday, as 2,000 athletes plunge into the Bay and across the finish line into the history books.
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