ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ
Another twist on the triathlon event is the Escape from Alcatraz. Actually this name applies to two different triathlons held in the San Francisco Bay Area. Each involves a swimming section from Alcatraz Island, site of the former notorious prison 1.5 miles off the coast.The event was begun by local swimming club, the Dolphin Club of San Francisco in 1981. The original event started off in San Francisco and ended in Marin Country. In 1983, a new commercial event with the same name began. This was open to the general public. This new version took place entirely within the San Francisco city area.
The first Escape from Alcatraz comprised a swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco's Aquatic Park, a bike ride to Mill Valley, and a Double Dipsea. This is a run over San Francisco's Dipsea course, a punishing 13.7 mile out-and-back course with about 4500 feet of climbing involved.
Nowadays, the Dolphin Club holds its Escape from Alcatraz event each October. Wetsuits are not allowed by the club. The public Escape from Alcatraz takes place each year in early June. The event kicks off the one-and-a-half mile swim from Alcatraz Island, continues with a half-mile run from the bay to the transition zone at Marina Green, then finishes with an 18 mile bike ride and an eight-mile run.