AFMC Command News

Three from Wright-Patterson ‘escape’ from Alcatraz

  • Published
  • By James Baker
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Mike Polakowski, Paul Day and Lt. Col. David Hardwick represented Wright-Patterson June 4 at the 2006 Accenture Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco.

The event is considered to be a top triathlon event in the world. More than 1,600 top athletes from 10 countries and 49 states were represented in this international event.

To compete in this year’s event, the men qualified last summer at the Great Escape Triathlon that took place along the banks of Lake Erie.

Hardwick said that the Alcatraz course is one of the most challenging and technical courses to be found in the sport.

The swimming started with a jump into the 55-degree waters in the middle of San Francisco Bay.

“The jump off the ferry boat next to Alcatraz Island and the swim into shore was thrilling,” said Mr. Day. “The toughest part about the swim was the waves, which made it difficult to avoid swallowing too much salt water.”

The bike course participants were challenged as they maneuvered through several of the hill-laden streets. An eight-mile run concluded the race that took them through roads, trails, stairs and beaches.

Participants also were faced with a daunting steep climb up sandy stairs a little over halfway into the run.

Mr. Polakowski, a Systems Engineer contractor on base, finished the race in 120th place overall. His time of 2 hours, 46 minutes and 14 seconds was good for 18th in his age group.

Mr. Day placed 124th overall and finished just behind Mr. Polakowski. He was 15th in his age group with a time of 2:46.19.

“My favorite part of the race was the finish where I was able to hold off Paul in the last 100 meters,” said Mr. Polakowski. “My time would have been a few seconds slower if not for him.”

Colonel Hardwick, of the 445th Airlift Wing, said he had some degree of difficulty with the currents and a fog bank that caused him to swim an extra distance.

“I kept going in the direction I was told to go so I could better deal with the strong currents,” he said, “but I started to get off course when the fog settled in.

“The run became the highlight of my day as I passed many of my fellow competitors who had run out of gas at this point and sprinted to the finish. It ended a great day of racing.”