Reigning Ironman World Champs Will Escape From Alcatraz

Reigning Ironman world champions Pete Jacobs and Leanda Cave will highlight the 2013 Escape from Alcatraz field. The pair will take on tough fields, with several Olympic-distance specialists making the start. American Andy Potts and Cave will be the ones to beat at the March 3 race. Potts will be looking for his sixth Alcatraz title, while Cave will be going after her fifth.

Other top athletes making the start include Javier Gomez (ESP), Sara Groff (USA), Ricarda Lisk (GER), Matt Reed (USA), Annabel Luxford (AUS), Graham O’Grady (NZL), Jesse Thomas (USA) and Becky Lavelle (USA).

“Having the current Ironman champions both competing this year is sure to intensify the level of competition among the pro field,” said IMG Senior Vice President James Leitz. “This is an extremely impressive list of athletes, which will create some serious excitement at this year’s race.”

Athletes will take on a 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the shore, an 18-mile bike race and an 8-mile run through San Francisco. Water and weather conditions are expected to be cooler than usual because the race is taking place a full three months earlier than usual to accommodate the 34th America’s Cup (a yacht event).

See the complete pro start list (as of Jan. 24) below:

Men:
Josh Amberger (Australia)
Andrew Bauer (United States of America)
Eric Clarkson (United States of America)
John Dahlz (United States of America)
Tom Eickelberg (United States of America)
Brian Fleischmann (United States of America)
Javier Gomez (Spain)
Henry Hagenbuch (United States of America)
Pete Jacobs (Australia
Kyle Leto (United States of America)
Matt Lieto (United States of America)
Paul Matthews (Australia)
Dan Meehan (United States of America)
Edo van der Meer (New Zealand)
Graham O’Grady (New Zealand)
Jason Pedersen (United States of America)
Andy Potts (United States of America)
Branden Rakita (United States of America)
Matt Reed (United States of America)
Jesse Thomas (United States of America)

Women:
Lauren Brandon (United States of America)
Leanda Cave (Great Britain)
Emily Cocks (United States of America)
Jenny Fletcher (United States of America)
Lauren Goss (United States of America)
Sarah Groff (United States of America)
Heather Jackson (United States of America)
Becky Lavelle (United States of America)
Emma-Kate Lidbury (Great Britain)
Ricarda Lisk (Germany)
Jen Luebke (United States of America)
Annabel Luxford (Australia)
Liz Lyles (United States of America)
Sara McLarty (United States of America)
Jenna Parker (United States of America)
Kristen Peterson (United States of America)
Marcy Schmidt (Canada)
Charissa Wernick (United States of America)

PHOTOS: 2012 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon