Kooper Knutson took on the challenge of the 27th annual Escape
from Alcatraz Triathlon on June 3 in San Francisco and accomplished
his goal.
By Greg Chapman Staff Writer
Kooper Knutson took on the challenge of the 27th annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon on June 3 in San Francisco and accomplished his goal.
The 13-year-old Gilroy resident participated in the event because it was harder then the events he has previously competed in. His main focus was finishing in under three hours.
After completing the event and hearing his time of two hours, 58 minutes and 36 seconds, Knutson said, ” I felt great knowing that I had accomplished my goal.”
Knutson also felt good because he knew not many people have accomplished what he had done.
In addition to strategy, encouragement from other participants helped Knutson finish the race.
During the 1.5 mile swim, Knutson didn’t want to waste any extra energy with the waves in the middle of the race, which he said were big and sort of like a roller coaster.
“I let the current push me through the waves,” Knutson said. “I wanted to pace myself because I knew I had an eight-mile run to go.”
Knutson knew if he tried to swim through the waves, they would push him back and he would waste energy trying to fight through them. He let the current push him through, knowking there would be about a 30-second gap.
During the run to finish the triathlon, Knutson saw three different types of faces as he passed up competition.
One look Knutson received was a stunned face – the face people gave him wondering why he was in the race.
The second facial expression was the one wondering if he could do it, and the third was a look of encouragement.
“The encouraging and happy faces helped me finish the race,” Knutson said.
These people were not only an inspiration to Knutson, but they also didn’t block the path like some did in an intervals during the run, where Knutson said only one and a half people could fit.
Now that the race is over, Knutson is definitely looking forward to next year’s race.
“I was only four minutes off the record, so I know I can probably catch the record next year,” Knutson said.
The record for 14 and under is two hours, 54 minutes and 30 seconds.
Because Knutson will be 14-years-old in next year’s race, it will be his last chance to break the record, but he is not feeling any pressure.
“I’m just going to race my race,” Knutson said. “If I beat the record, that’s just toppings.”
