On a rainy, foggy day with 57-degree Fahrenheit water in the San Francisco Bay, Eric Lagerstrom of Bend, Oregon and Jackie Hering of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin won the pro divisions at the 41st Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.
This classic race includes a 1.5-mile swim from the former Federal penitentiary to the Marina, a challenging 18-mile scenic, hilly ride and an 8-mile run along the beach and up the daunting sand ladder.
Lagerstrom finished din 2:01:36 with a 3:04 margin over Jason West of Boulder, Colorado and 3:38 over third place men’s finisher Gregory Harper of Walnut Creek, California.
Hering finished in 2:15:22 with 3:06 margin over Danielle Lewis of Boise Idaho and 3:23 over third place women’s finisher Jodie Stimpson of Great Britain.
“You know when you sign up for Escape, you are not just signing up for a race, you are signing up for an adventure - it is unlike any other race, and the rainy conditions today just added to the challenge,” 2022 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon Winner Eric Lagerstrom told Escape media . “I love this race and am ecstatic I was able to be victorious today!”
Gregory Harper was first out of the water in 24:09, followed 50 seconds later by four-time Escape winner Ben Kanute and 51 seconds later by Lagerstrom. Kanute and Lagerstrom caught Harper on the first bike climb. At the end of the bike leg, Lagerstrom led Kanute by 9 seconds, 1:31, Jason West by 2:15 and Brent McMahon of Canada by 5:21.
Once on the run, Lagerstrom left all pursuers behind on his way to a race-best 44:47 run split which was 33 seconds better than Jason West.
“Today’s rain created challenging conditions, especially during the bike leg,” Hering told Escape media. “I had to really be cautious to stay upright, but it was worth every second. After realizing how special this race was last year and taking third, I am thrilled to have been able to return and take the win.”
41st Escape From Alcatraz
San Francisco, California
June 5, 2022
S 1.5 mi/ / B 18 mi / R 8.5 mi.
Pro Men
1. Eric Lagerstrom (USA) S 25:00 T1 3:40 B 47:18 T2 0:53 R 44:47 TOT 2:01:36
2. Jason West (USA) S 25:36 T1 3:54 B 48:57 T2 0:54 R 45:20 TOT 2:04:40
3. Gregory Harper (USA) S 24:09 T1 3:57 B 49:40 T2 1:04 R 46:27 TOT 2:05:14
4. Ben Kanute (USA) S 24:59 T1 3:41 B 47:28 T2 0:54 R 50:25 TOT 2:07:25
5. Brent McMahon (CAN) S 25:37 T1 0:54 B 52:021 T2 0:54 R 46:27 TOT 2:09:09
6. John Dahlz (USA) S 25:38 T1 4:20 B 53:08 T2 1:08 R 1:02:58 TOT 2:27:11
Pro Women
1. Jackie Hering (USA) S 27:46 T1 4:13 B 52:21 T2 1:13 R 49:51 TOT 2:15:22
2. Danielle Lewis (USA) S 30:05 T1 4:26 B 53:35 T2 1:01 R 49:24 TOT 2:18:28
3. Jodie Stimpson (GBR) S 26:41 T1 4:12 B 56:13 T2 0:59 R 50:43 TOT 2:18:45
4. Megan Foley (USA) S 27:18 T1 4:18 B 57:30 T2 1:07 R 53:58 TOT 2:24:09
5. Ginger Howell (USA) S 31:42 T1 5:59 B 1:00:41 T2 1:40 R 55:53 TOT 2:35:53
