The race »Escape from Alcatraz«

A true test of a multisport
short course athlete

»Escape« was always a race that had interested me simply because the event was a true test of a multisport short course athlete. This race was designed so as not to favour any athlete who was strong or weak in any discipline. In many of the short course races in the World, swimmers had always claimed that the swim was too short for them to get the full advantage of their strong discipline. Cyclists had always claimed that the drafting effects on the bike (even in non-drafting races) disadvantaged them, and the runners had always claimed that the run simply was not a long enough portion to allow them to capitalise on any losses they may have accumulated in the swim or bike.
The Escape from Alcatraz event was born so as each discipline was almost as long (in time that is) as the other so as not to favour any athlete over another. The winner of Escape from Alcatraz was the best Multi disciplined athlete in the World and the most balanced across the three disciplines of swim, bike and run. They were true triathletes in that sense with pure athletic balance across the three disciplines that make up triathlon.

The event blossomed and has become the premier short course triathlon race in the World and a must race to win for any short course triathlete looking for a place in this sports history. The event was first run in 1985, and is thus one of the oldest triathlon races in the world.
Escape from Alcatraz is the biggest short course race on US soil. Its history is rich and its prime time TV coverage in the USA makes it one of the biggest triathlon events in the World. The race is incredible, set in beautiful San Francisco Bay and taking in some of the cities most famous landmarks. The swim from Alcatraz Island and the history of the great Escapes of prisoners from The Alcatraz Jail, have added to the allure of this remarkable race.

Cold water ...

and the feeling of expectation

Showdown with Greg Welch

Welchy was my idol

Breaking the 2-hour mark

The new Mike Pigg

My first International race as World Champion

Escape From Alcatraz, 1998

I had been living in Europe for the past 2 seasons and really wanted to get a race on US soil. Alcatraz is always run in early June, and I saw a great opportunity to travel across from Europe to race the event. My European races were not for 2 more weeks so the window was perfect for the flight to San Francisco. It was my first time ever in San Francisco. I immediately fell in love with this city.

It is still my favourite city in the USA and I have spent a lot of time here over the years since. I truly adore the vibrancy of San Fran and the landscape of this metropolis. It is a cool town. I travelled with my good friend and one of my training consultants still to this day, Michael Gilliam. We arrived in San Francisco and stayed with a friend of Michaels in Mill Valley. It was really nice and we had a few days to get over the jetlag and prepare for one of my biggest challenges.