Last year competitors were disappointed when wind squalls forced cancellation of the signature swim leg for the first time in the 37-year history of the Escape From Alcatraz triathlon. This year almost everyone was happy to endure 54.7 Fahrenheit water temps for the renewal of the classic swim from Alcatraz to the beach at Marina Green.

This year competitors and fans alike were treated to two exciting pro duels that were not decided until the final yards.

Sarah Haskins, who won this race in 2014, overcame a penalty incurred at the swim to bike transition. “Well, it was a crazy day out there for me,” Haskins told Slowtwitch. “I had a great swim today exiting in 1st by 90 seconds, [but incurred] a surprise minute penalty on the bike due to a bike mount infraction (rear wheel was a few inches behind the mount line... which I didn’t even know was a rule. I always thought the mount was the same as ITU (mount when feet cross the line) but we were racing under USA Triathlon rules. My BAD! But I kept my head positive and in the game and worked those hills on the run!”

Haskins finished in 2:15:46 with a 15 seconds margin on runner-up Alicia Kaye and 4:19 on 3rd place finisher Lauren Goss.

“It was great racing with Alicia and an honor to battle it with her today!” Haskins said of her rival. “After the race Alicia and I congratulated each other and we have so much respect for each other. We bring out the best of ourselves when we race each other.”

After a fast swim thanks to unusually calm waters in San Francisco Bay, Ben Kanute exited the water with Cameron Dye close by. “I had to grind the whole race with Cam on my heels," he said. "The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon is a hard course.”

Nearing the end, defending champion and 2016 Olympian Kanute held off last year’s runner-up Cameron Dye for the win. Contrary to expectations, Kanute, the man with ITU short course run speed, led Dye, famed for his bike prowess, by 25 seconds at the sand ladder with 2 miles to go. If history held, Kanute was a lock. After a stubborn, relentless charge, Dye chipped Kanute’s lead down to just 7 seconds at the line.

Although it looked like a nail-biter, Kanute said he had it under control. “I knew where my competition was the whole time,” he told Slowtwitch. “I made sure to watch out for Cam as I know he is such a strong athlete, and kept an eye on Jason West [who finished 3rd] who is a super runner. So I took my time in the finish chute and tried to soak it all in.” Kanute crossed the line in 2:00:49 with 7 seconds to spare and a 1:06 margin on 3rd place finisher Jason West.

Escape From Alcatraz
San Francisco, California
June 3, 2018
S 1.5 mi. / B 18 mi. / R 8 mi.

Results

Overall Women

1. Sarah Haskins (USA) 2:15:46
2. Alicia Kaye (USA) 2:16:01
3. Lauren Goss (USA) 2:20:05
4. Paula Findlay (CAN) 2:24:15
5. Robin Pomeroy (USA) 2:28:05
6. Erin Storie (USA) 2:29:30
7. Jenny Nilsson (SWE) 2:30:26 *F30-34
8. Michela Santini (ITA) 2:32:50 *F35-39
9. Laura McDonald (USA) 2:36:57 *F35-39
10. Christina Roberts (USA) 2:36:34 *F30-34

Men

1. Ben Kanute (USA) 2:00:49
2. Cameron Dye (USA) 2:00:56
3. Jason West (USA) 2:01:55
4. Andy Potts (USA) 2:04:46
5. Jarrod Shoemaker (USA) 2:05:32
6. Kevin Collington (USA) 2:06:08
7. Brian Duffy Jr. (USA) 2:08:58
8. Matthew Wisthoff (USA) 2:09:27
9. Timothy Winslow (USA) 2:10:38
10. Garrick Loewen (CAN) 2:13:16