Fulfilling the time-honored motto of San Francisco's Alcatraz Challenge, a woman competing in the 1.5 mile swimming race died last weekend of undetermined causes.
The San Francisco medical examiner identified the woman as 51-year-old Sara "Sally" Lowes of Houston. Lowes was pronounced dead at 9:32 am after being pulled from the water. An autopsy will be conducted to find the cause of death. Her body was discovered floating in the bay near Crissy Field beach and was recovered by the Marin County sheriff's patrol boat.
With a motto of "Swim or Die!," the Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon & Swim is a 1.5-mile course that begins at Alcatraz and finishes at the East Beach of Crissy Field, according to race director Gary Emich, who was interviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle. Sunday's was the 27th annual race. The event included 569 registered swimmers, the youngest about 10 and the oldest in their 70s, Emich said.
"Everybody is saddened by the situation. Any death is a tragedy," Emich said. It was the first death of a participant in the Alcatraz Challenge since the USA Triathlon Association-sanctioned race began in 1981, Emich said.
Of the "Swim or Die!" motto, Emich said: "It's been a tongue-in-cheek motto for years because the Alcatraz races are exceptionally safe. Thousands and thousands have participated safely since 1981."
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