Athletes Compete to Check an Item Off of Their Bucket List

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- While the women's field is especially fierce at this years San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz, their male counterparts are showing no signs of intimidation. In fact, many first time male triathletes have decided to make Alcatraz their first triathlon so they can experience the amazing San Francisco attractions up close and personal. Among the rookies is Robert Ng who will be traveling from Columbus, Ohio to meet two of his closest college friends. Every year the threesome, all who have never competed in a triathlon, comes together to enjoy new and challenging tasks, and this year, the San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz is it.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110818/SF54301)

Also sharing a desire for adventure and challenge is, Jarrett Hitching, who is no stranger to the impossible. After experiencing a near death experience, which was featured on TLC's Untold Stories of the E.R. in 2006, Hitchings found his way back into the water and onto the road, with the help of his training partner Paul Cressman, who will also be competing in the race. After injury and setbacks, including Cressman's initial proclamation that he cannot swim, the pair will be there on August 21, 2011, with the support of their family and friends, to prove that they are no strangers to defying the odds.

Among the male competitors are several active-duty military including army officer, and Iraq veteran, David Kauvar and USAF National Guard Terry Konz. Kauvar is traveling, and racing, with his wife Amy from Utah who is a military officer in the Air Force and a brain cancer survivor. Even with the challenges and everyday demands that their job employs, the pair finds strength in each other and excitement in fulfilling Amy's lifelong dream of successfully swimming in the San Francisco Bay. Konz will also be traveling quite a distance from Ohio with his entire family in tow – including his mother and father. Like the Kauvar's, Konz has dedicated his time training for this race because it is a bucket list item, and he's ready to give it all he's got.

Some of San Francisco's finest businesses have also committed to completing this epic race, including two companies with three relay teams each. When not on his respective course, Erik Uppman, an Account Supervisor of Butler, Shine, Stern, & Partners, will cheer on his wife, Katie, who will be competing with her co-workers at Eventbrite including CEO Kevin Hartz. Additional members of the Eventbrite team will be at the Healthy Lifestyle Expo with a photo booth for participants to capture great post-race memories.

Athletes will begin the 1.2-mile swim in the San Francisco Bay's tumultuous waves, battle through a 25-mile technical bike course through the hills of San Francisco, and finish with a 7-mile run boasting the 400-step sand ladder on August 1, 2011. Racers will begin jumping off of the boat at 7:00am and swim towards Marina Green in San Francisco, California where Tri-California Events will be hosting not only the athlete's transitions, but also the Healthy Lifestyle Expo with over 20 vendors. The Healthy Lifestyle Expo will take place on Saturday, August 20th from 11:00am – 6:00pm and Sunday, August 21 from 8:00am – 2:00pm.

For more information please visit: http://www.tricalifornia.com/index.cfm/Alcatraz2011-main.htm

For a complete list of stories on these, and other, athletes please visit the Athlete Digital Guide: http://www.tricalifornia.com/index.cfm/Alcatraz2011-digital_athlete_guide.htm

SOURCE Tri-California Events