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Andy Potts and Leanda Cave win the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

Jon Bird takes fifth, Andrew Russell sixth, and Jenny Fletcher eighth.

The weather was perfect as more than 2,000 amateur and professional athletes took the plunge into the 55 degree water of San Francisco Bay to compete in the 2012 Escape from Alcatraz™ Triathlon on Sunday, June 10, with Andy Potts from Colorado Springs, Colo. winning the prestigious race for the fifth time, setting a new record for most wins ever for a male. Leanda Cave took the first place position amongst the women, making this her fourth win of the race. Featuring a 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the shore, an 18-mile bike ride and an eight-mile run through San Francisco, this race is considered one of the most difficult triathlons in the world.

“Being chased by Olympic Athletes Courtney Atkinson and Bevan Docherty really pushed me, I could see and feel them the whole time,” said 2012 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon Winner Andy Potts. “To win this iconic race for the fifth time and to set the record for the most wins ever by a male is the most amazing feeling. This is my favorite race in the world.”

Racers from 16 to 76-years old and a number of physically challenged athletes from Challenged Athletes Foundation participated in the triathlon. The notorious Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon attracted athletes from more than 43 countries, including top Beijing triathlete Qi Dang, who is representing IMG Worldwide’s newest race, the Beijing International Triathlon, set to take place September 16, 2012.

The Canadians:

Calgary’s Jon Bird finished fifth (2:08:18), Victoria’s Andrew Russell finished just behind in sixth (2:08:32). And Jenny Fletcher took eighth (2:30:17) in the women’s race.

Sherwood Park, Alberta’s Marcy Schmidt won the women’s 25-29 division by over 20 minutes (2:34:23). While Burlington, Ontario’s Jackie Smalec won the women’s 50-54 division by a 19-minute margin (2:50:16).

Top Finishers:

First Place:

Andy Potts, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2:03:17

Leanda Cave, Tucson, Ariz., 2:18:17

Second Place:

Courtney Atkinson, Mermaid Waters, QU, 2:03:53

Annabel Luxford, Bardon, QL, 2:21:01

Third Place:

Bevan Docherty, New Zealand, 2:04:32

Jenna Parker, Santa Monica, Calif., 2:23:32

Challenged Athlete:

“One Armed” Willie Stewart, Boise, ID, 2:48:38

Oldest Male:

James Ouri, Tampa, Florida, 74-years old, 6:09:30

Oldest Female:

Diane Ridgeway, Arvada, CO, 64-years old, 3:42:21

Youngest Finisher:

Travis Nelson, Sugar Land, TX, 15-years old, 3:31:05

The Escape From Alcatraz™ Triathlon is produced by IMG Worldwide. For full race results, visit www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com.