SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Athletes will run, bike and swim their way around Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco, Calif., area this weekend during the 42nd annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.
Preparing for the event takes daily dedication, according to Miguel Mattox. He spoke to KCBS Radio’s Jim Taylor about the process this week.
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“I like to get my hardest workout done first,” he said. “So, whether that’s a hard bike ride on a stationary train – most of the bike work that I do is sitting on a bike inside and monitoring my power on a power meter – or I’ll go to the track and do a hard track workout. Swimming usually comes a little later in the day, but the weekends are full of like long rides and long runs.”
People from all around the globe head to the Bay Area for the event, which has been described as “the world’s most sought-after race.”
Escape from Alcatraz festivities kicked off Friday at Sports Basement, where a panel of pros was scheduled to share their experiences at past races. Related activities will also be held throughout the weekend at Marina Green.
“We are thrilled to present an incredible lineup of activities at this year’s Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon weekend, in addition to witnessing some of the world’s greatest athletes compete in one of the most iconic, bucket-list races,” said Jennifer Lau, vice president of IMG Action Sports.
Things get real Saturday with the Escape Aquathlon, now in its third year. This event includes a 750-meter swim and a 5-kilometer run.
Then, the official Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon starts on Sunday. During the race, “2,000 athletes from all over the world will compete in one of the most challenging, multi-sports events,” starting at 7:15 a.m. PT.
Participants will plunge from the San Francisco Belle ferry into water adjacent to Alcatraz Island for a 1.5-mile swim in 55-degree water with strong currents. Swimmers will make their way to the Marina Green Beach, adjacent to and west of the St. Francis Yacht Club.
“Triathletes proceed to a mini-transition area where they have the option to dry off and put on running shoes for the half mile warm-up run to the Marina Green,” said the race website. “This run will take them beside the St. Francis Yacht Club, South on the Little Marina Green, and East on the sidewalk of Marina Blvd to the main transition area at Marina Green.”
From there, triathletes begin the 18-mile bike ride that brings them back to Marina Green. For the final leg of the race, they will do an 8-mile run to Baker Beach Battery.
“Are you looking forward to it?” Taylor asked Mattox.
“I am,” he said. “It’s quite different than pretty much everything I’ve done.”
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