With its unique start and world famous views, the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon (EFAT) is considered one of the "must do" events in the sport of triathlon. 2010 marked the 30th Anniversary of the event, and the race fully lived up to expectations, with unmatched weather conditions, big name professionals, and friendly currents.
The Race
It's hard not to highly rate any race that involves the challenges and beauty of San Francisco Bay and its surrounding topography. New Race Directors, Premier Event Management, ensured that the actual racing experience lived well up to expectations, although aspects of the race that involved volunteers, from registration to sweats pick-up could do with some improvement. None of these items interfered with the racing conditions, but they did impact the overall experience.
The race itself is highly technical, from negotiating the currents of the Bay, to the hilly and twisting bike course, to the varied terrain of the run.
Due to impending construction along the race course, this year's Escape was held a month earlier than usual; however, San Francisco's micro-climates make it just as likely that race day will be sunny and clear as foggy and cold no matter when the race is held. This year's perfect conditions were as much the result of a lucky metrological crap shoot as anything.
Average completion times for the race vary year to year, primarily due to the currents of San Francisco Bay. Average race time for 2010 was 3:10, compared to 2009, when it was 3:25.
Because the bike and run course run parallel for nearly five miles, the race is incredibly spectator friendly. There are multiple points for you to be able to see your athlete on the out or back, while having time to grab a quick coffee in between.
Although I have no official proof, this year's crowds seemed to be in fewer numbers than in the past, possibly because many triathlon fans and their families were off competing in other races, such as Wildflower, four hours to the south. However, there were still plenty of vocal and enthusiastic fans in attendance.
The Racers
Although EFAT historically claims participation of 2,000 athletes, a quick check of past results shows the number of finishers to be closer to 1,600 (not sure if this discrepancy is due to DNF's or relay teams). This year's number of finishers was listed at 1,487, the lowest in the last five years.
Of the 1,487 finishers, 286, or 20%, were women, which is consistent with past Escapes, but lower than the 30% average quoted for the sport overall.
As a destination triathlon, participants come from all over the globe, and their presence is felt with the flags of the world that line the finish chute and in the accents and languages one hears in the transition area and on the course.
Despite the number of competing races during EFAT weekend, the event had no trouble pulling in big name professionals, including Potts, Macca, and Kemper (who won his division) on the men's side, and Cave (who won her division) and Jones on the women's side.
Click HERE for complete 2010 race results.
The Swim
Jumping four feet off a boat in the middle of San Francisco Bay is certainly a daunting prospect, but one of the most consistent comments heard after the race is, "the swim wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Since many people imagine the swim as involving the risk of being eaten by a shark or being swept out to sea (neither of which has ever happened at EFAT), making it safely to land is considered a victory unto itself.
Make no mistake of it, the water is cold - mid-to-high 50's. Wetsuits are definitely needed, and many athletes also sport neoprene booties, squid lids, and wax ear covers.
Unlike races held in lakes and reservoirs, current plays a huge role in the EFAT swim. The swim exit is about a mile west of the jump point, but age group athletes typically sight on points to the east of the exit and are carried west by the current. Unless you are an exceedingly strong swimmer, swimming directly towards the swim exit will carry you right on past it.
Swim times vary greatly from year to year depending on the currents. 2010 was definitely considered a "fast year." As point of reference, the fastest swim time in 2010, posted by Dustin McLarty, was 22:41. In 2009 it was Clayton Fettell with 30:37.
Transition
Another differentiating characteristic of EFAT is what is sometimes called T .5. The swim exit is about 3/4 of a mile away from the main transition area, which means that upon exiting the water you have the choice of stripping off your wetsuit and putting on shoes you've previously dropped for the "warm up run" back to the transition area or to go screaming off in bare feet and swim cap. Most athletes opt for the former option.
The main transition area is set on Marina Green, a large, grassy expanse along the water's edge. Participants typically use the flags lining the area as identifiers for their rows as there are not numbers posted on the end or the ability to make markings in chalk on the ground as there are at some other events.
The Bike
Not surprising for being held in a city known for its hills, the EFAT bike course involves a lot of climbing. In fact, pretty much all but 5 miles of the 18 mile course involve either a climb or descent coupled with a good number of 90-degree turns.
The ride does have some breathtakingly beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge and of the Pacific Ocean as well as the tranquility and scenery of Golden Gate Park. The ride through the Park is even better now that a 2 mile stretch of pot holes was repaved this past spring.
New to the bike course this year were mile markers, although there did not seem to be a lot of logic to their placement or frequency.
The Run
In some ways the EFAT run course is as much a Marine-style obstacle course as anything else. Along the 8 mile distance you'll encounter staircases, tunnels, single-track trails, beach running, and the infamous sand ladder (four hundred log "steps" strung together up the side of a dune).
The course has a reputation for being hilly, but in fact, close to six miles of the run is flat. Of course, the hill that you'll ascend each way is big enough to leave a sizable impression in everyone's mind.
Several miles of the run take place among defensive battlements dating back to the Civil War and WW II, giving runners a view of historical bunkers and gun emplacements that even some native San Franciscans haven't seen.
Mile markers were also added along the run course this year as well, and unlike on the bike course, seemed to be more intuitive in their placement.
Very little of the run course takes place on paved surfaces, making it ideal for people who are looking to avoid the pounding. Runners who are uncomfortable with uneven or varied surfaces should avoid this race.
Registration/Expo
EFAT registration is only available the day before the race, with all participants needing to check-in on and attend the mandatory pre-race briefing on Saturday. Although the hour-long briefing is held multiple times during the day, most people choose to attend the first one at noon, two hours after registration opens.
New this year was a multi-stage check-in process, with three separate stops, one for ID/USAT check, one for packet-pick-up, and one for SWAG. The result was longer lines than in the past, although this may also have been due to a lack of volunteers.
The Expo itself is not as extensive as one might imagine for a race with the size and prestige of EFAT. By noon the official merchandise tent had sold out of popular sizes of its best-selling items (cycling jerseys and singlets), and besides the tents of event sponsors, there's not much in the way of new gear or related products to check out.
The best part of the registration/expo has got to be its location on Marina Green. If the weather is clear it's a great place to hang out, listen to the briefing, and meet fellow triathletes from all around the world.
FYINTKS (For Your Information Need to Know Secrets):
- Consider going to the registration/expo later in the afternoon. Unless buying official merchandise is your prime motivator (they may be sold out if you wait), you'll get in/out much quicker if you sign-in later in the day. The briefers may also be getting a little punchy, which adds to the experience.
- Don't count on the weather. Summer weather in SF is notoriously changeable. At its worst, the winds and fog can make the swim course beyond challenging and the run and bike highly unpleasant. If you're someone who doesn't like racing in the cold, you risk being mighty unhappy. Of course, when the weather cooperates, you'll swear there's not a more beautiful place in the world to race.
- Be a confident and prepared cyclist. Even though the bike course is only 18 miles long, you will see your share of people walking their bikes up a hill and an occasional wipe out on the descents (including a horrific crash a few years back). Know what you're getting into before taking on this race and train appropriately.
- Parking for the event is not a problem, especially if you don't mind a little bit of a walk. The San Francisco Presidio Park is about a half-mile from the transition area and offers abundant parking compared to the city streets.
- Board the boat to Alcatraz early. Before the race, a bus will take you from the transition area to the Alcatraz boat. Most people mill about on the dock waiting in line for the port-a-potties. Although the boat is open for boarding early on, most people wait till the last moment. Early boarders will find the on-board restrooms clean and line-free; you'll also have a better chance of securing a more comfortable spot against a wall.
Escape from Alcatraz
http://www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com
EveryMan Rating: *Half Brewski
Rating Scale (based on the amount of beer needed after race)
• 4 Brewskis So excruciatingly painful and lame you’ll need a full year
of recovery just to forget this race
• 3 Brewskis The best thing said and remembered about race is; I
finished
• 2 Brewskis Challenging race in a masochistic I’d could do it again
sort-of-way given enough time and Ibuprofen.
• 1 Brewski Good solid race that exceeds your expectations
• No Brewski A must-do annual event for both friends and family
*I would definitely rate the event as a one Brewski and probably a no brewski's if not for the entry fees, which have gone up by over $100 in the last two years and now exceed $400
Editor's Note: Our San Francisco correspondent and triathlete Ben Klau filed this review. Ben's a multiple Escape from Alcatraz finisher and an amatuer triathlete who lives and races in California.
The race organizers provided the comp race entry for the purpose of this review.