Thousands to Escape from Alcatraz

Any time you go out for a sail on San Francisco Bay there are plenty of potential hazards to watch out for. But if you happen to be heading out early this Sunday, June 5, you’ll have an entirely unique set of obstacles to avoid.

The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon will begin at 7:30 a.m. Sunday with its 2,000 participants from all over the world leaping into the 55-degree Bay waters from the deck of the sternwheeler San Francisco Belle. The 292-ft river boat replica will be stationed somewhere off the southeast side of Alcatraz. As curious as you might be to get a few snapshots of this epic extreme sport, we would strongly urge you to stay well clear of the area.

No doubt there will be support boats along the 1.5-mile route to the finish — the beach west of the St. Francis YC — but with a 4.8-knot ebb expected that morning, we wouldn’t be surprised if a few of the international competitors overshot the finish, so please keep your eyes peeled if you’re in the area. By the way, the swim — which makes us shiver just thinking about it — is just a warm-up, so to speak, for the grueling 18-mile bike race and 8-mile run which follow. A Fitness Festival and Expo will take place on the Marina Green all weekend, with all sorts of worthwhile exhibits and displays — including, ironically enough, a beer garden. But hey, why not? After enduring 27.5 miles of exertion, we’re sure that many of these international athletes will be powerfully thirsty!