O'Grady second in prison escape - more great news for triathlon

While most eyes were on the World Championships in Vancouver this morning, not far South on the East Coast of America Shane Reed was expected to provide the strongest Kiwi challenge at the iconic ‘Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon’ in San Francisco but it was Graham O’Grady who upstaged Reed with a stunning second place finish behind American Andy Potts.

Hamiltonian O’Grady finished with the quickest run split over the demanding 12.8km run leg but could not quite bridge the gap to Potts, eventually finishing 35 seconds back in second but comfortably ahead of Alexander.

It is a quite stunning performance from an athlete that endured more than his share of injury and illness woes last year and one that clearly announces him as a future contender on the world stage.

Beijing bound Reed finished inside the top ten as he continues his build up towards the Olympics while Ben Pattle was 13th and veteran multi sport competitor Brent Foster came home in 30th.

In the women’s race it was an American benefit with Leanda Cave winning from countrywoman Becky Lavelle and Mirinda Carfrae. Cave defended her title from the 2006 winner Lavelle.

New Zealand’s Gina Ferguson raced strongly to finish in the top ten while Jo Lawn did not start due to illness.

The race has attracted some of the greatest in the sport throughout its 28 year history and is firmly established as one of the more lucrative events on the circuit outside the official ITU World Cup Series.


Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, San Francisco USA

Elite Men

1ANDY POTTSUSA02:01:57
2GRAHAM O'GRADYNZL02:02:32
3CRAIG ALEXANDERAUS02:02:53
4DAVID THOMPSONM02:03:04
5MATT CHRABOTM02:03:25
6PAUL MATTHEWSM02:04:40
7MARK FRETTAM02:05:26
8JOE UMPHENOURM02:05:57
9SHANE REEDNZL02:07:05
10KEVIN COLLINGTONM02:07:51
13BEN PATTLENZL02:08:30
30BRENT FOSTERNZL02:19:52

Elite Women

1LEANDA CAVEUSA02:15:37
2BECKY LAVELLEUSA02:15:52
3MIRINDA CARFRAEUSA02:16:47
4REBECCAH WASSNERUSA02:20:17
5SAMANTHA MCGLONEUSA02:20:58
9GINA FERGUSONNZL02:23:32