Published June 4, 2018 08:02AM
2018 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
The 38th annual edition of the race saw American Olympians Ben Kanute and Sarah Haskins take top honors.
After tough water conditions forced the cancellation of the swim at Escape from Alcatraz in 2017, nearly 2,000 athletes were treated to the return of the iconic 1.5-mile opening leg under beautiful conditions. The 38th annual edition of the race saw American Olympians Ben Kanute and Sarah Haskins take top honors. For Kanute, it was his second-straight Alcatraz title. For Haskins, it marked her first Alcatraz victory since 2014 as she has balanced her racing with having two kids—including a son just over a year ago.
Kanute led after the swim, bike, and run, but he was pushed the entire way by fellow American Cameron Dye and ended up with a narrow victory. Kanute put together a 21:23 swim, a 45:15 bike, and a 49:41 run to take the victory in 2:00:49. Dye had a fast run (49:18), but ran out of space to catch Kanute—putting him across the finish in second at 2:00:56. Jason West made it an all-American podium with a third-place finish at 2:01:55.
“The weather was great and the San Francisco Bay was unusually calm which made for a really fast swim,” said Kanute. “I had to grind the whole race with Cam on my heels. The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon is a hard course and definitely a bucket list race. I love this race and I love this city.”
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In the women’s race, Haskins came out of the water with a large advantage but a penalty for a bike mount infraction leveled the playing field. It was a tight battle with fellow American Alicia Kaye to the finish line. Haskins put together a 22:38 swim, a 53:33 bike, and a 54:25 run to take the victory in 2:15:46. Kaye was a close second at 2:16:01, with last year’s race winner Lauren Goss (USA) rounding out the top three at 2:20:05.
“I was thrilled with my performance today, making this my second Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon win,” said Haskins. “This is one of my favorite venues of all time, I love everything about this race, especially the crowds cheering along the course!”
2018 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon
San Francisco, Calif. – June 3, 2018
1.5-mile swim, 18-mile bike, 8-mile run
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
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