The New Alcatraz

Triathlons starting at Alcatraz and finishing in San Francisco go together like a horse and carriage, love and marriage, Wimbledon and tennis. Terry Davis and his masterful crew at Tri-California know how to put on a great race, so when IMG took their Escape property, Davis and his dozen years of experience putting on that race decided to take charge and put on his version on August 29.

The course had a few tweaks. The 1-5 mile swim from the ferry ended at a platform right on Marina Green and eliminated that half mile run on pavement to the bikes. The bike was extended all the way to the San Francisco Zoo and mileage upped from 18 to 25 miles. The run was similar but the finish chute was closer and mileage was reduced to 7 miles.

The pro field was a bit smaller but prize money was a solid $40,000, which outranked two Life Time Fitness series events. But the races were hot and the joyous spectacle of racing through San Francisco Bay, riding through Fort Point and the Presidio, past the golf course and the Legion of Honor Museum, down the Cliff House decline, into and out of Golden Gate Park, then running out to Baker Beach , back up the sand ladder and finishing on the Marina grass chute was, once again, exuberant, challenging and fun.

Photographs © Timothy Carlson

The pros dive into the Bay at 7 AM with the San Francisco city skyline as an unforgettable backdrop.

Amanda Stevens and fellow pros get ready while the ferry cruises to the start off Alcatraz Island.

Jimmy Archer helps fellow pro Kristen Peterson zip up.

This is what the digital age has brought us: Alcatraz swimmer records himself, at the moment of takeoff, with his waterproof digital camera.

Leaping into the maelstrom.

Stepping into liquid.

Steven Sexton rides well up the Cliff House hill and takes third place.

Age grouper is a blur flying down the Cliff House declivity.

Chris Stehula won Collegiate Nationals earlier this year but could only manage 14th at San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz.

Melanie McQuaid could not match her breakthrough ;pavement win at Lake Stevens, but took 3rd while riding her Specialized steed.

Canada's Tenille Hoogland chased Amanda Stevens throughout the bike, later made the kill for the win on the sand ladder.

Henry Hagenbuch (number 25) chases age grouper number 121 up the stairs at Fort Point.

Kenneth Rakestraw of Newport Beach California charges up the stairs at Fort Point.

This shot looks like the agony of defeat, as two women warriors slog up the steep sand ladder. Actually, this was the moment of truth as Tenille Hoogland charged past Amanda Stevens for the lead.

A minute later, Stevens could only look as Hoogland disappeared toward the sand ladder summit.

Hoogland gulps down some water on the run as she fights to withstand Stevens' counterpunch rally two miles from the finish.

Stevens passes an age group man while cutting down Hoogland's lead.

Hoogland wins, as Stevens' charge was halted when she fell over a curb with 250 meters to go.

Age group man high fives friends and family in the finish chute .

Later, the finish line chute fills with competitors.