Alcatraz: The Triathlon

S A N  F R A N C I S C O, June 11 -- Nearly 40 years ago, Frank Morris and two other inmates did what was thought impossible: they escaped from Alcatraz, a prison that until then was the crown jewel of the federal penitentiary system.

Prison officials believe the trio drowned, but their bodies were never recovered — and they were never seen again.

This weekend, a thousand daring athletes replicated the stunt — and then some — as part of the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.

Amateurs and professionals swam side-by-side in the chilly 60-degree waters of San Francisco Bay — home to sharks — then biked 18 miles, and ran another eight.

14-Year-Old Competitor: 'It Was Fun'

"It's basically like you're swimming up a hill, dropped five feet," said 14-year-old Pearce Selleck, who completed the swim in 30 minutes. "You get sick. You just want it done. But it was fun."

Fun, but not over — not by a long shot. While no one knows how, if at all, the famous escapees made their way from the shore, competitors must exchange their swim clothes for bike clothes and two-wheel through 18 miles of San Francisco.

After that, they run.

Winner Chris McCormack completed the course in two hours, well ahead of his nearest competitor.

He said he didn't spend all his time focused on the race.

A View Few Tourists See

"I'll tell you what: you jump off that Hornblower yacht and look back at theGolden Gate Bridge. It's incredible," he said. "A sight tourists don't get to see. I got a good look around."

Fifty professional athletes took part in the competition, which was open to anyone, of any age — as evidenced by young Pearce Selleck, who has been participating in triathlons for seven years — half his life.

"How couldn't you want to do this?" he asked. ABCNEWS affiliate KGO in San Francisco contributed to this report.