New qualifying series for popular Escape from Alcatraz triathlon
Triathletes can look forward to new qualifying opportunities for the iconic Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon thanks to a new Escape Triathlon series by IMG.
From press release.
If you’ve had your eye on getting a coveted spot at the iconic Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon as a bucket-list race, there are new opportunities to quality. IMG announced the inaugural Escape Triathlon Series, a qualifying series for the 2018 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. The first five races in the Escape Series include four triathlons across the United States—Nation’s Triathlon, Philadelphia Triathlon, Des Moines Triathlon and Lake Geneva Triathlon—as well as the first-ever New Orleans Escape Triathlon. IMG says they plan to add more races to the Escape Series later this year.
“Our objective is to stage unique, challenging and memorable short course triathlons,” said James Leitz, Senior Vice President, IMG. “We welcome three… races, the Philadelphia Triathlon, Nation’s Triathlon and Lake Geneva Triathlon into the Escape Series, and look forward to future growth opportunities with the PEM team.”
This Escape Series will feature challenging courses, celebrated race locations and top professional triathletes from around the world. The five 2017 Escape Series qualifying races are as follows:
Philadelphia Escape Triathlon – June 24-25, 2017
The Philadelphia Triathlon is recognized as one of the premier triathlon festival weekends in the country. This year will mark the 13th year of this annual event, featuring two days of activities including a multisport expo, a sprint distance race (8k swim, 25.3k bike and 5k run), Olympic distance race (1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run) a sprint distance AquaBike race (800m swim and 15.7 mile bike) and an Olympic distance AquaBike race (1,500m swim and 24.8 mile bike). Fairmount Park will host this scenic, challenging course, which takes participants through some of the most historic and picturesque sections of Philadelphia. www.EscapeSeriesTri.com
Des Moines Escape Triathlon – September 2-3, 2017
The Des Moines Escape Triathlon will offer challenging courses, scenic venues and unmatched hospitality. Both Olympic and sprint competitors will swim in the beautiful Gray’s Lake, bike through historic Des Moines and run to finish the race at the Iowa State Capitol. www.EscapeSeriesTri.com
Nation’s Triathlon – September 10, 2017
This course will wind through Washington D.C.’s monument corridor in the shadow of the nation’s best-known memorials and national treasures. As an international distance triathlon, sanctioned by the USAT, it will include a 1.5k swim in the Potomac River, 40k bike through D.C. and a 10k run through the city’s historical landmarks with a spectacular finish. A sprint distance race will also take place. www.nationstri.com
Lake Geneva Escape Triathlon – September 23, 2017
The fifth annual Lake Geneva Triathlon will include a SuperSprint race (300m swim, 13.1 mile bike and 1.5 mile run), Sprint distance race (500m swim, 13.1 mile bike and 3.1 mile run), an Olympic distance race (1,500m swim, 26 mile bike and 6.2 mile run) and an Olympic distance AquaBike race (1,500m swim and 26 mile bike). Conveniently located between Chicago and Milwaukee, the clear water of Lake Geneva will provide scenic views and rolling hills to create a memorable autumn race in the small lakeside village of Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Highlights include a beach start, a run past Yerkes Observatory and a fun-filled finish festival. www.EscapeSeriesTri.com
New Orleans Escape Triathlon – October 1, 2017
The New Orleans Escape Triathlon will offer athletes the opportunity to compete in Olympic and sprint distance races as well as a duathlon and AquaBike race. The course will start and finish from South Shore Harbor and take athletes through historic Lake Pontchartrain and along Lakeshore Drive. www.EscapeSeriesTri.com
The Westchester Triathlon, Karingsund Triathlon and Beijing International Triathlon will continue to serve as qualifying races for the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, separate of the newly formed Escape Series.
Each qualifying race will award the top three finishers per age group coveted entry slots into the 2018 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. First place finishers in each age group will win a complimentary race entry. A total of 108 race entries will be available per qualifying race. Direct entry to the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon will continue via a more limited random annual drawing.
An Escape Series Leaderboard will be updated regularly on the official Escape Series website (www.EscapeSeriesTri.com), tracking the progress of the pros via a point system, as they vie for the 18 professional men and 18 professional women race slots. A total prize purse of $180,000 will be awarded to race winners throughout the Escape Series, inclusive of an $80,000 prize purse for the 2018 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.
In addition to Escape from Alcatraz, IMG owns, licenses and/or operates the London Triathlon, Blenheim Triathlon and Beijing International Triathlon, as well several marathons, cycling, obstacle course races and fun run events around the globe, including The Color Runs in 16 countries.
