2018 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
The 38th annual edition of the race saw American Olympians Ben Kanute and Sarah Haskins take top honors.
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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.”
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