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INSIDER INFORMATION: Race Clinic with Guest Speakers at the Sports Basement - Friday, June 6 Swim, Bike and Run Talk - Friday, June 6th 6pm at The Sports Basement, 610 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94129
Join us for a interactive presentation and Q & A session with Escape from Alcatraz experts. This is your opportunity to get a thorough overview of this legendary swim, bike and run.
Joe Oaks and Gary Emich will cover 1) currents in the Bay, 2) landmarks and sighting, 3) what to expect on race day and 4) many other inside tips to make a successful crossing June 8th.
Coach Phil Casanta has led hundreds of amateur and professional racers through clinics on the Escape bike course and would love to share his knowledge to make your bike the best experience possible. Come, ask questions and listen to the advice of one of the bay area's best.
Rachel Sears Casanta will offer insight and tips through an interactive discourse on getting the best experience from your Alcatraz run. Learn the secrets of the sand ladder, when and where to surge or conserve, when to duck and whether or not to wear socks.
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Joe Oakes is the originator of both the ALCATRAZ CHALLENGE and the ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ TRIATHLON. He has been the swim director for both since 1981. Joe has completed six Hawaii IRONMAN TRIATHLONS, 130 marathons, 51 ultramarathons and a complete non-motorized circumnavigation of the earth. He is the past president of San Francisco DSE Runners, and a founding member of the Board of Governors of the original US Triathlon Federation. He has had over 200 articles published, and is the author of THE ALCATRAZ SWIMMERS MANUAL, now in its fourth printing.
Gary Emich is an "Escape from Alcatraz" swim record holder (over 520 crossings without wetsuit or fin) and co-host of the new open water swimming DVD "Lane Lines to Shore Lines: Your Complete Guide to Open Water Swimming (that includes a special 17-minute bonus feature on swimming from Aclatraz." Gary also is a Certified Level 1 USA Triathlon Coach and a regular contributor to Inside Triathlon Magazine.
From his background in professional cycling and duathlon to his more than 12 years of professional coaching, coach Phil Casanta (coach Phil) has become a much sought after speaker. Presenting more than 80 times a year to clubs, at races and clinics and for private organizations, coach Phil's talks are always lively and informative. As a "home town" course coach Phil has been involved with the Escape from Alactraz triathlon in numerous capacities for more than 10 years. From volunteer coordinator to helping design the transition area, coach Phil has amassed an intimate knowledge of the course. Coach Phil is USAT and USAC certified and head coach of Hypercat Racing, www.hypercatracing.com.
Rachel Sears Casanta is a professional triathlete and 6-time ITU Team USA World Championship team member with a world championship title in duathlon. Specializing in half and full Ironmans Rachel has competed all over the world including Ironman Hawaii. To date, her favorite triathlon is still Escape from Alcatraz. In her 8 Escapes she has reached the podium 3 times including 1 win. Her top performances at Alcatraz have come from the strength of a dominating bike/run combination. Rachel credits her strong run to her background as a high school runner and as a collegiate athlete at Syracuse University. Rachel is also a coach and is certified by USA Track & Field (Level I) and USA Triathlon (level II). She is also the president of Hypercat Racing, an endurance sport coaching company, www.hypercatracing.com. |
Last Minute Important Info!
Race-day Instructions
Triathlete race day parking is at the Presidio west of Marina Green. You will need to enter from Highway 101 (Lombard Street) at the Mason Street gate from Marina Blvd. From the South take 101 north. When you get near the Exploratorium (on your right) you are going to be in the left lane and take the PRESIDIO CRISSY FIELD EXIT. If you are coming from the north you will take 101 south and after you cross over the Presidio you will stay in the right lane and take the PRESIDIO CRISSY FIELD EXIT. If you are coming from Marina Blvd. you will need to turn left on Divisadero Street, go south on Divisadero to Francisco Street and turn right and that will take you to Highway 101 north.
When you exit, the freeway will take you directly onto the Presidio. Turn right and you drive toward Mason Street. There will be parking lots under the freeway. If they are full, go west and park in the lots or along the streets. If you go far enough, you will get to the back entrance to the Sports Basement and there is a big lot there. Parking is on a first-come basis and there will not be parking monitors. After you park, you can grab your bike and gear, go north to Mason Street and then ride or walk east to the transition area at Marina Green. Do not park either side of Mason Road because this is the bike course and vehicles will be towed race morning.
If you are going to be dropped off at Marina Green, please use one of the many side streets south of Marina Blvd and east of Scott Street, because Marina Boulevard is a no-stop zone area with patrol who will site. Parking in the Marina Green parking lot is limited to vehicles with an Official permit only. There is also no parking in the St. Francis Yacht Club parking lot by the swim finish. Please do not park in these areas. These areas are on the bike course and it is an extreme safety hazard. Also, on Race Day, parking on Marina Boulevard or in the Marina Green parking lot will result in your vehicle being towed so we discourage you from wasting valuable money and time by ignoring these parking regulations.
Please drive by the parking areas on Saturday, so that you know where you are going on Race Day and not have to panic. When it is dark, you can get turned around.
When you arrive at Marina Green, you will want to drop your numbered swim finish bag with your extra pair of running shoes at the entrance to the bike transition. This bag will be transported to the swim finish and placed in sequential order.
Next, you will rack your bike and set up your transition area. You will need to do this as quickly as possible so that you can get on the early shuttle bus.
Buses leave for Pier 3 beginning at 5:15 a.m., with the last bus departing at 6:45 a.m. Get on the bus early so you will have plenty of time go get body-marked and take care of personal business before you get on the boat. First Timers must be on the first group of buses at 5:00 a.m. See below for a complete schedule of when you should arrive by age group. You may arrive earlier than the assigned time but all racers must arrive to the bus line by the scheduled time in order to get each group on the boat in a management manner. The boat to Alcatraz departs at 7:15 a.m. sharp. Don't miss the boat. Participants not body-marked and on the boat will not be allowed to start, let alone compete. There will be no refunds for triathletes who miss the boat. This race is too much fun to miss out so plan accordingly.
Bus loading schedule: (you may arrive earlier but no later than your scheduled time slot)
5:00 a.m. - 5:15a.m. First Timers
5:15 - 5:45 am Age Division 29 Under
5:45 - 6:00 am Age Division 30 - 39
6:00 - 6:15 am Age Division 40+
Waiver to SignYou must sign a waiver from the Golden Gate Bridge Authority in order to compete. This waiver is separate from the one you signed when you registered for the Escape. Click here to download a copy of the waiver. Sign it and turn it in at Packet Pick-up. You'll have to sign one of these to get your race number anyway, so you might as well download your own copy and bring it with you, already signed.
Please visit our FAQ Section on the website for more very important pre-race, race, and post-race information. |
