Share this on:
 Facebook
 Twitter
 Tumblr
 E-mail
410
VIEWS
 
RECOMMENDS
10
SHARES
About this iReport
  • Approved for CNN

    • Click to view sfphotoguy's profile
    Posted July 25, 2012 by
    sfphotoguy
    Location
    San Francisco, California
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Human to Hero: Sports Photography Master Class

    More from sfphotoguy
    More iReports you should see

    Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon

    By sfphotoguy  |  Posted July 25, 2012  |  San Francisco, California
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     The 2012 annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco, California provided the perfect opportunity for iReporter Jon Wollenhaupt to capture some excellent images of participants. More than 2,000 people took part in the event, which made photographing the event pretty hectic at times. "The elite athletes separate themselves quickly from the pack, making is seems like there is two or more races going on at the same time. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide what to shoot and where to position yourself to get a good shot," he told CNN. However, persistence paid off and the liveliness of the event is captured in the images, including a fantastic shot of a competitor in a fake prison stripe suit.
    - sarahbrowngb, CNN iReport producer

    The start of the annual Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon is perhaps the most dramatic segment of the race. A hour or so past dawn on the morning of the race, 2,000 plus athletes leap from the deck of a ship moored just off Alcatraz Island into the chilly brine of San Francisco Bay, where the average water temperature - even in mid-summer - is in the mid to high 50's. These amazing athletes swim 1.5 miles against currents that were one of the most formidable barriers to escape from the infamous prison.

    From the beach near the St. Francis Yacht Club, viewers have clear sight of the swimmers as they make their slow and steady progress; thousands of arms chop madly at the water's surface until eventually, exhausted, shivering, bodies begin to merge from the surf and shuffle down the beach. That completes first leg of the competition, after which ensues a mad scramble and transition to biking racing, then running.
    • TAGS:

    • GROUPS:

    What do you think of this story?

    Select one of the options below. Your feedback will help tell CNN producers what to do with this iReport. If you'd like, you can explain your choice in the comments below.
    Be and editor! Choose an option below:
      Awesome! Put this on TV! Almost! Needs work. This submission violates iReport's community guidelines.
    More from this assignment - Human to Hero: Sports Photography Master Class
    On CNN
    Singapore Paintball Series 2012 Leg 1, 14th - 15th July 2012, Farrer Park Field, Singapore
    On CNN
    Beauty. Strength. Skill. Endurance
    On CNN
    What is effective Self-Defense?
    See all 72 iReports
    Add your Story

    Comments

    Log in to comment

    iReport welcomes a lively discussion, so comments on iReports are not pre-screened before they post. See the iReport community guidelines for details about content that is not welcome on iReport.

    Add your Story Add your Story