Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon |11 June 2025
Breaking limits
- Kalsey Belle conquers the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Last weekend, Kalsey Belle successfully conquered one of the world’s most iconic races, namely the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco, California.
Deemed a ‘bucket-list’ race, it begins with a 1.5-mile open-water swim from Alcatraz through the fast-moving 12°C waters of San Francisco Bay, followed by an 18-mile bike ride up steep hills and an 8-mile run that includes the Sand Ladder, which is a 400-step climb up a sandy cliff.
For Seychelles’ landmarks, it is the equivalent of a swim from Cerf Island to the Roche Caïman swimming pool, followed by a bike ride from the clock tower to Anse Gaulette (via Cascade) and then finishing with a run from Baie Lazare to Barbarons.
The race is widely known as a test of both physical endurance and mental strength.
So, what inspired Kalsey to tackle this challenge?
“It was a combination of curiosity, chance, and encouragement from friends and family,” she explains, adding that a casual conversation over coffee led her to learn about the race.
Having visited the Alcatraz prison in June 2024 and recalling how brutally cold it had been, Kalsey was intrigued that such a race even existed.
She signed up for the waitlist and, a month later, was offered a spot
She went through a pros and cons list, talked with loved ones, and had conversations with two past participants.
“I had thought my chances were slim, but once I won the participation lottery, it felt like serendipity. I could not ‘waste’ my luck, so I signed up and began training in mid-January this year,” she says.
The journey to ‘Race Day’ raining for the escape was not straightforward
While juggling her Fulbright post-academic commitments, Kalsey woke up daily at 4.30am for workouts and swam in the evenings.
With New Orleans’ warm temperatures and flat terrain, Kalsey knew she was preparing for the race in an environment that was a sharp contrast to the conditions she would face in San Francisco.
As self-doubt crept in, Kalsey’s support system became a lifeline.
“People often hesitate to share their fears. But I found value in speaking up and being open about my limitations. Everyone around me stepped up in so many ways – checking in, sharing gear, joining bike rides, and even joining me regularly to run up 85 floors of a tall building in the city centre to mimic the sandy cliff run. It never felt like I was doing it alone. And for that, I am incredibly thankful,” she explains.
She also entered her first Olympic-distance triathlon as part of the training process.
The ‘practice’ race was meant to build her confidence, especially for cycling.
However, issues with her chain almost forced her to abandon the triathlon.
“It was a great test as I learnt first-hand the importance of triple-checking your gear as you put it in place pre-race,” says Kalsey.
Once again, her support network shone through by altering her mindset, reminding her that despite encountering a bicycle challenge, she had resolved it and completed the race because of her determination. Escape from Alcatraz was a battle of determination more than speed, they reminded her.
The race experience
On race day, San Francisco was 11°C, and the winds had picked up.
Kalsey was up at 3am to prep her gear and head to the ferry.
“While boarding, the nerves set in. I was a novice among the 1,500 mostly seasoned triathlon or ironman athletes. It was unnerving, but I kept reminding myself, that I am prepared, and that it is now or never,” says Kalsey.
As she jumped off the boat into the 12-degree murky brown water, she reminded herself to be proud of making it to this point.
“Once you start, the adrenaline kicks in. The real challenge came with sighting the shoreline through choppy waters. But the most terrifying part was reaching the beach to start my least favourite part of the race, the bike ride,” she explains.
Thankfully, Kalsey powered through the bike course with no incident.
“I feel vulnerable going downhill on a bike. People zipped past me on the descents, but I kept thinking “slow and steady”. I was relieved once I racked my bicycle with no injury after an 87-minute ride. For me, the worst part was over,” she laughed.
During the final 13km run, Kalsey soaked in the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and drew energy from the cheering crowds.
Kalsey crossed the finish line in three hours, 38 minutes, ranking 183rd out of 341 female athletes.
Her goals had been simple: finish the race and complete the bike ride without walking up the hills.
She achieved both and more.
“I genuinely thought it would take me over four and a half hours. I had no idea how fast I was going. It was not until I was 100 metres from the finish that I saw the timer. I surpassed my own expectations. The feeling was indescribable,” says Kalsey.
Tips for taking the leap, Kalsey offers three key insights to others considering a major challenge.
“I know it sounds like a cliché, but signing up is the easy part. It is the preparation that is challenging,” she says.
Kalsey reflects
Being vulnerable is powerful. It is okay to feel overwhelmed or experience difficulty. You will hit hurdles.
“What is not okay is pretending everything is fine when it is not. People are not mind readers. They cannot support or help you if they do not know. I shared my struggles openly. To this day, I am amazed and appreciate the number of people who leaned in to help. So much so that my journey felt like teamwork rather than a solo experience. Determination drives every breakthrough. Even as I jumped off the boat on race day, I was not sure if I could finish the race. I always underestimate myself, but because I was determined to at least try, that was all I needed. Winning is not about being first. Define your own success. I was VERY FAR from ever coming out first in the race, but I did it anyway. I rarely say this, but I am proud of myself. Why? Because I set myself a goal that seemed impossible and I SMASHED it! To me, that’s what matters.
The accompanying photos highlight Kalsey’s journey throughout the triathlon.
Contributed