2026 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon
2026 RANDOM DRAWING IS OPEN
Enter Here

FAQs

The 2026 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in San Francisco.
 
All registered athletes will be required to pick up their race packet and attend one athlete safety meeting on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon is staged in and around San Francisco Bay.
 
  • Swim: Starts with a jump into the water, near Alcatraz Island, finishing adjacent to the St. Francis Yacht Club off Marina Blvd.
     
  • Bike Course: Travels through the Presidio, out the Great Highway, through Golden Gate Park, and back to Marina Green.
     
  • Run Course: Winds through the Presidio, under the Golden Gate Bridge, along Baker Beach, and returns to Marina Green.
     
  • Transition, Finish Line & Fitness Festival: All located at Marina Green, near Marina Blvd and Scott Street.
 
 
For maps and full course details, CLICK HERE.

This is a modified International-distance triathlon, featuring a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) swim, an 18-mile (29 km) bike ride, and an 8-mile (13 km) run.

The Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon is open to age-group amateurs, collegiate athletes, and relay teams. All participants must be 18 years or older on race day to compete.

To participate in the full course age group division, athletes must enter the Random Drawing- the official sign-up process that determines race entries.
 
Though there is no open entry process, there are several ways to secure a spot:
 
  • Random Drawing – Apply during the Round 1 or Round 2 Random Drawing entry period for a chance to be selected for official registration. Round 1 of the Random Drawing for the 2026 Escape will remain open until October 21st, 2025 followed by a Round 2 of the Random Drawing which will close on November 12th, 2025. ENTER HERE.
 
  • Waitlist - Once the Random Drawing entry period has closed, you may join our General Entry Waitlist for the chance to race if spots become available.
 
  • Charity Partner Race Entry – Register as a Charity Racer through our Charity Partner Program. This does not require you to enter the Random Drawing. The Charity Partner Program opens on November 3rd, 2025.
 
  • Age Group Division Qualification – Earn an automatic spot by placing first in your age group at the previous year’s Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.
 
  • Open Relay Team - Participate as a Relay Team of 2 or 3 to divide and conquer the Escape course. Open Relay registration opens on November 3rd, 2025.
 
  • Collegiate Division - Undergraduate & Graduate School student triathletes may compete in teams of five, representing their college or university. Collegiate Division registration opens on November 3rd, 2025.

RANDOM DRAWING

ENTER RANDOM DRAWING HERE
Apply during the Round 1 or Round 2 Random Drawing entry period for a chance to be selected for official registration to the 2026 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.
 
Round 1 Random Drawing Window: September 22, 2025 - October 21st, 2025
Round 2 Random Drawing Window: October 22nd, 2025 - November 12th, 2025

No, entry in to the Random Drawing is completely FREE.
 
If you are one of the lucky Random Drawing winners selected to register for the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, there will be a fee to claim your spot to the 2026 race.

October 28, 2025: Results for the Round 1 Random Drawing will be emailed to all applicants and posted on the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon website. If you do not get selected in the Round 1 Random Drawing, you will be automatically entered into the Round 2 Random Drawing. There is no need to reapply.
 
November 18, 2025: Results for the Round 2 Random Drawing selection will be emailed to all applicants and posted on the Escape From Alcatraz website.
 
 
If you are selected, you must claim your spot or race entry by:
1. Completing your registration found in your Random Drawing Winner email
2. Paying the race entry fee by the deadline provided.*
 
If you do not accept/claim your spot by registering within timeline provided, you will forfeit your spot/ entry into the race. No exceptions.
 
Be sure to add info@escapealcatraztri.com to your contacts or safe senders list so you don’t miss updates.
 
Also, check your spam or promotions folders to ensure these communications don't get filtered out.
 
*Please note that the registration window may close early if the race reaches capacity.

No. There is no minimum qualifying time or required triathlon experience that is required in order to participate in the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.
 
However, when entering the Random Drawing window and completing the application, athletes will be asked to list up to three relevant endurance events- such as triathlons of similar distance, duathlons, long-distance running or cycling events, or open-water swims- completed within the past five years.
 
Athlete safety is the utmost priority and the information provided will help race management understand each athlete’s background to ensure that everyone is prepared for all conditions of the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.

The Random Drawing is designed to ensure a fair and equitable process, but demand always exceeds capacity, making selection highly competitive and never guaranteed.

Each year, thousands of athletes from across the country and around the world apply for a chance to race, and odds of selection vary based on the size of the applicant pool.

If you are selected, you must claim your spot or race entry by:
1. Completing your registration found in your Random Drawing Winner email
2. Paying the race entry fee by the deadline provided.*
 
If you do not accept/claim your spot by registering within timeline provided, you will forfeit your spot/ entry into the race. No exceptions.
 
Be sure to add info@escapealcatraztri.com to your contacts or safe senders list so you don’t miss updates.
 
Also, check your spam or promotions folders to ensure these communications don't get filtered out.
 
*Please note that the registration window may close early if the race reaches capacity.

No. Race entries are non-transferable.
 
Random Drawing winners are not allowed to transfer their race entry to another individual.
 
For more information, please review our Race Registration Policies.

RACE REGISTRATION

The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon is a challenging course. Generally, we do not recommended this race for first-time triathletes unless you have:
 
  • Solid experience in similar endurance sports
  • Are in excellent physical condition
  • Have trained under an experienced coach or trainer.

As a USA Triathlon sanctioned event, the Escape team is subject to following USA Triathlon's gender inclusion policies. Please review USA Triathlon's gender inclusion policy on more information.
 
If you are registering as a gender different from your birth gender, you must notify USA Triathlon during registration.
 
If you’ve already registered and need to update your gender selection, please email us at info@escapealcatraztri.com

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon offers an 'Open' competitor division in addition to ‘our Male’ and ‘Female’ divisions. Non-binary athletes may select the 'Open' category at the time of registration (after the Random Drawing entry period).
 
If an athlete holds an annual USA Triathlon membership, they will need to ensure that their registration selection matches their membership. Awards will be given to the first, second and third overall finishers in the 'Open' Division.
 
If you have previously registered and would like to adjust your gender identity selection please email us at info@escapealcatraztri.com.

If an Athlete selects to 'not disclose' a gender identity, they will compete in the 'Open' Division against all other Athletes in that category. Awards will be given to the first, second and third overall finishers in the Open Division.
 
If you have previously registered and would like to adjust your gender identity selection please email us at info@escapealcatraztri.com.

Participation is limited to 2,000 athletes, a cap set by the race’s Start Boat capacity and race-day time constraints.

Conditions can change quickly- even within minutes.

Air temperatures usually range from the upper 50s to upper 70s °F (15–25 °C), though some years have dipped into the low 40s or climbed into the upper 80s.

San Francisco Bay water temperatures average around 55 °F (13 °C).

2026 will mark the 46th running of the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, carrying on more than four decades of racing tradition in San Francisco.

The Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon reserves a limited number of entries for Official Charity Partners. 
 
Each partner sets its own fundraising minimums and manages its own spots, so you will need to reach out to them directly to check availability and requirements.
 
To view the list of participating charities and their contact information, CLICK HERE.

View Refund; Deferral; Transfer; and Event Cancellation Policies HERE.

Yes. Athletes who are 17 at the time of the Random Drawing or Registration but will be 18 years old by race weekend (June 6, 2026) are eligible to participate. To complete registration, you will need to:
 
1) Contact our team at info@escapealcatraztri.com and provide your parent or guardian’s name and email address.
2) Our team will send a Participant Waiver to your guardian for signature.
3) Once you turn 18, you will be required to re-sign the waiver yourself to finalize your participation.
 
This process ensures compliance with USA Triathlon rules while allowing eligible athletes to safely compete once they meet the minimum age requirement.
 
See Race Registration Policies.

Age Groups are based on your age as of December 31, 2026, in accordance with USA Triathlon rules. Awards are given to the top three athletes in each division:
 
Age Group Divisions (Men & Women):
 
18–19
20–24
25–29
30–34
35–39
40–44
45–49
50–54
55–59
60–64
65–69
70–74
75–79
80+
 
Example: If you turn 35 in November 2026, you’ll compete in the 35–39 Age Group at the 2026 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon — even if you’re still 34 on race day.
 
Paratriathletes race in a separate division with classifications set by USA Triathlon.
 
Open Division athletes race in a separate division, competing against all other athletes in that category.

Age Group Individuals: $862.11
Open Relay Teams: $486 per team member
Collegiate Division Teams: $399.60 per team member
 
Your registration fee is all-inclusive—there are no hidden charges. Each entry covers:
  • Official race registration
  • Haku platform processing fees
  • Custom athlete shirt
  • Athlete gift bag
  • Timing chip
  • Customized race packet
  • Finisher medal
  • Post-race Athlete Hospitality (catering, massages, and medical services)
  • Online results
  • ESCAPE team support via email: info@escapealcatraztri.com

We accept VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, and Discover Card.

If you did not purchase refund protection during registration you will be
able to purchase it inside your registration in your participant account up to 5
days after you completed registration.
 
See Registration Protection FAQs & Terms & Conditions.

Athlete safety is our top priority.
 
Race staff, water safety team and municipal agencies (local and national)  work closely together to monitor and manage all portions of the race. Several water rescue vessels  or crafts (including jetskis, kayaks, paddle boards, etc.) are deployed along the swim course to support a safe swim.
 
Trained medical teams and EMS staff are positioned along every leg of the course.  Aid stations with hydration and first-aid support are available along the course as well.
 
Athletes are asked to attend athlete meetings on Saturday, June 6 as important information regarding guidelines related to gear requirements, weather updates, etc. will be shared to help facilitate a safe race experience for athletes, volunteers and spectators.
 
We also provide weekly race preparation newsletters and a detailed Athlete Guide in the lead-up to race weekend to help athletes prepare safely and confidently.
 
We review and refine race logistics every year with a focus on safety, and  will continue to implement improvements in the months preceding the event.
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