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Surviving the Escape: Lagerstrom and Hering take a challenging Escape from Alcatraz

Canadian Brent McMahon takes fifth at challenging race that featured cold water and rain

Photo by: Brandon Means

It is one of the sport’s most iconic and oldest events – San Francisco’s Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon features a unique 1.5 mile (2.4 km) swim from Alcatraz Island, an 18-mile (30 km) hilly bike around the Presidio and an 8-mile (12.8 km run) that includes the infamous “sand ladder” amongst the other challenging terrain.

Last year the event celebrated its 40th anniversary, making it one of the oldest triathlon events in the world. This year’s race attracted 2,000 athletes, who had to deal with 57.3 Fahrenheit water temperature, choppy water conditions and lots of rain, making the already-challenging event even tougher.

“You know when you sign up for Escape, you are not just signing up for a race, you are signing up for an adventure, it is unlike any other race, and the rainy conditions today just added to the challenge,” said 2022 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon winner Eric Lagerstrom. “I love this race and am so ecstatic I was able to be victorious today!”

This was Lagerstrom’s second win at the race after taking his first in 2015. The American managed to keep countryman Ben Kanute from taking a fifth-straight title at the event.

Canada’s Brent McMahon took fifth.

“Today’s rain created challenging conditions, especially during the bike leg, I had to really be cautious to stay upright, but it was worth every second,” said women’s champion Jackie Hering. “After realizing how special this race was last year and taking third, I am thrilled to have been able to return and take the win.”

Women’s Pro Results:

  1. Jackie Hering (Cottage Grove, WI) 2:15:22
  2. Danielle Lewis (Boise, ID) 2:18:28
  3. Jodie Stimpson (GBR) 2:18:45

Men’s Pro Results:

  1. Eric Lagerstrom, (Bend, OR) 2:01:36
  2. Jason West, (Boulder, CO) 2:04:40
  3. Gregory Harper (Walnut Creek, CA) 2:05:14

5. Brent McMahon (Canada) 2:09:09