June 12, 2009 (San Francisco, CA) - From the decks of a grand stern-wheeler, they'll jump together into the choppy, chilly waters of San Francisco Bay, a shock-to-the-system start to the heart-pounding Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, set to take place this Sunday, June 14.

But while survival is the ultimate goal Sunday, the event also should prove a unique bonding experience for half-brothers David Wagner and Todd Thompson, who until 15 years ago never knew each other existed.

One grew up in the jungles of western Africa, raised by adoptive-parent missionaries in the rainforest until the family had to flee a military-led coup. The other was raised in the Rocky Mountains and escaped from his own past by shedding more than 100 pounds in time for his 30th birthday.

Jeff and Nathan Betschart of Parker finishing
last year's Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

When the opportunity to compete together in one of the most infamous and extreme sporting events arose this year, Wagner and Thompson jumped at the chance.

"This will be the first time we've done anything, just the two of us," said Thompson, an engineer who works for a medical device company in San Jose, Calif. "I'm excited about that. (Until now) there hasn't been a lot of opportunities for us to hang out, and be engaged."

The only question is whether they'll be able to finish together, something Wagner, who lives in Parker, Colo., saw his friends Jeff and Nathan Betschart do last year.

"They caught up to one another on the run and ran the rest of the race together, and took in all the shared moments. That would be the ultimate," said Wagner, who never had an older brother to pal around with growing up.

As first-timers at Alcatraz, they know the 1.5-mile swim, 18-mile bike race and demanding 8-mile run won't be easy.  But they've dealt with tougher adjustments in life.

continued...

The Colorado Triathlete
© CO TRI, LLC - All Rights Reserved