Leading on from my other post everyone seems to rave about the Escape from Alcatraz race. It looks good on paper but what is it about that does it for you ?
Sell it to me guys !!!
It looks cool, rumors of sharks and cold cold water, sand stairs, lots of sand stairs, hilly tough course, you get to jump off a boat at the start, you get to ride a boat to the start, cool celeberties will be there and you probably get to beat them, cool enough for lots of other events to copy, your friends may actually take notice of the name versus going “but that wasn’t a real triathlon right, I meant it wasn’t an Ironman…”
Last, the fact that it seems so hard to get in.
Don’t know personally as I’ve never done it but those are my reasons for one day possibly entering.
Everything Tai says is true. It is a classic, an epic. It takes in important American landmarks on its route and is amazingly scenic. It’s tie to the prison and the mystic surrounding that is significant. During the operational life of the prison it was a commonly held belief that no one could survive the swim from Alcatraz to the mainland. You run directly under one of the most famous bridges in the world. It is a race with a lot of history in a nice venue. San Francisco is a nice place to visit also.
Leading on from my other post everyone seems to rave about the Escape from Alcatraz race. It looks good on paper but what is it about that does it for you ?
Sell it to me guys !!!
The totally awesome volunteers and the party after!!!
clm, Alcatraz volunteer 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998
How come you never got the chance to race ?
Wow. Where to start?
First of all, it’s in San Francisco. I’ve traveled the world and I have to say San Francisco is one of the most stunningly beautiful cities (and environs) anywhere. I love London, and Bath, and Oxford, Edinburgh but those SF hills, the Bay, Alcatraz and Angel Islands, and oh, the Golden Gate. I could just stop there.
Then, you get to “escape” from one of the most infamous prisons in the world and get out of the water at a yacht club no less. Every right side breath you take has you looking at the Bridge (OK, unless it’s like 2003, then you couldn’t breathe right without seeing a grey-green wave about to slap you).
Ride through two world class urban parks (Presidio and Golden Gate) and multi-million dollar neighborhoods (studded with the homes of the stars!).
Run along the most beautiful urban waterfront on the planet to a secluded beach dominated by views of the Bridge and the natural splendor of the Marin Headlands.
All this under the watchful eye of rapt spectators, superb volunteers, Tri California’s crack staff, and SF’s Finest.
Again, all this in San Francisco.
See you soon.
I don’t know if you consider this a selling point or not, but I can tell you that when it comes to my co-workers/friends/family/etc., their eyes generally glaze over when it comes to the subject of my athletic endeavors - except . . . ALCATRAZ! “Did you really swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco? I thought that was impossible?! Aren’t there sharks?”
How come you never got the chance to race ?
I could race any year I want, but…I HATE cold water. And, I do that ride and run all the time (for free!) In fact, I rode most of the bike course on Tuesday morning. I’d rather volunteer. I’ll be on the boat this year.
clm
And, I do that ride and run all the time (for free!) In fact, I rode most of the bike course on Tuesday morning.
Aw man! Don’t rub it in Cathy 
I LOVE San Francisco!!!
A couple of years when the IronKids National Championships was held in Sacramento the kids and I flew into San Francisco and every day rode and ran along the waterfront and in the Presidio and Golden Gate Park. Then we’d spend the rest of the day just enjoying what an awesome city it is.
I hate cold water too, but it’s definitely on my to-do list.
I have done the Envirosports (Dave Horning) version the last 2 years. I can’t compare it to TriCal’s because I have not done the latter but I really enjoyed the incredible challenge of Alcatri. Swimming from The Rock had been on my “list” for a while and it is a very cool experience. This race goes into Aquatic Park and the current near the breakwater is not to be underestimated. One of the nice things about Alcatri is that it is a much smaller race (~6-800) and there is one start. Everyone just lines up between some kayaks and waits for the ferry horn. Also there is a 2+ mile run from Aquatic Park to Chrissy Field prior to the bike and run. The bike is fairly short but 100% hilly with some tricky fast turns and stand up climbs. The final 7.5 mile run has all of the elements you could think of minus the plowed field; trail, road, hills, sand, fishing poles, tunnels, steps etc. I am sorry I will have to miss it this year due to a family vacation.
That’s the version (Envirosports) that I have done 3 times, and will once again this August. Put simply, there is not another race…except of course for the other Alcatraz tri…like this one. IMHO, if one needs to be sold on this race—either version—don’t do it.
I haven’t done it yet, but I got my slot this year and will be jumping off that boat on June 12th. I’m not a great runner and highly doubt I will ever run a marathon. So this is my ironman. I’m surrounded my ironmen (and women) here. More than 1 of my friends has been on the age group podium at Kona. Training for this race (and utimately finishing I hope) makes me feel like I’m not such a slacker compared to them. This is the most challenging race I could consider doing, and in my favorite city no less. Almost everyone I know here thinks I’m crazy. But since its in such a great place I have a whole cheering squad making the trip with me. Its gonna be great. Then I get to go to wine country. Inside Tri lists it as a must do. They have a nice little write up of it in their event guide. Ok I’m babbling, I just can’t help it, I’ve been this way since Dec 16th when I got my slot…kj
Whats the difference bwteen the 2 versions and which one in the ‘original’ version ?
This is the original.
Actually, the original is the Dave Horning version…the race used to finish up with a run of anywhere from 14-17 miles in the Marin Headlands—tough one. There was some sort of “dispute” over the name of the race at some point in the mid-1990’s----I don’t remember all of the details, but the gist of the matter was that the now Tri-California version became the “official” Escape from Alcatraz “trademark” event. Now I couldn’t tell you if Horning was actually the RD for the very first race way back…but he has been involved with this one for a very long time.
And this year is Horning’s 25th Escape. I don’t how many TriCal has done.
Because it’s on tv.
I’m pretty sure that Horning’s race (envirosports) was the original one as well. I don’t know the details of how there came to be two, and why Terry’s is now the “official” one.
Does anyone else besides me still have Dave Horning’s book on training for triathlons from the late 80’s? It’s a classic. I wonder if it’s a collectors item yet…
J
Does anyone else besides me still have Dave Horning’s book on training for triathlons from the late 80’s? It’s a classic. I wonder if it’s a collectors item yet…
Yeah, that thing’s collecting dust somewhere in my house…all of those old tri books are kind of funny to read now, especially when looking at the equipment and the outfits. But there are still some good principles to be learned from them.
I am a big fan of the Horning races in general. They are simple, fun, compartively inexpensive, and the staff is friendly. Feels much more personal that Tri California IMO. I run trails with them all summer long. I would have loved to do the Escape ending with a brutal Headlands run, sounds like a great race. I had no idea that he has been around for so long. Thanks for the info.