Hello Participants

Welcome, new and returning Escape participants!

2026 MARKS THE _"40TH ANNIVERSARY"_ OF THE ESCAPE FROM FT. DESOTO

ATTENTION: WE ARE ADDING FREE -> HOT FOOD & BEER - IT'S GOING TO BE A CELEBRATION FOR SURE!

NEWS FLASH... We changed the giveaway from socks to ???? - Way cool, we are being told!

First 275 Entries will get it - To be posted on the site, when they arrive!

To those of you who have done the event before, welcome back! To those new to the event, you may be interested to know that the park is ranked among the top ten beaches in the United States; 900 unspoiled acres surround you. First-timers, we anticipate you will have a great first triathlon at Ft. DeSoto. To all, we ask that you enjoy the surroundings and please leave the park cleaner than you found it. The Run portion of this event is 3.1 miles.

ESCAPE FROM FT. DESOTO MEANS DISTANCES ARE UNUSUAL SINCE YOU NEED TO ESCAPE!

* SPRINT TRIATHLON -> .50 Mile Swim | Bike 10 Miles | Run 3.1 Miles
* SPRINT DUATHLON -> Run 1.5 Mile | Bike 10 Miles | Run 3.1 Miles
* AQUA BIKE -> 1/2 Mile Swim | Bike 10 Miles

This event has grown in popularity in the past five years and will close out at 500 entries this year. This is a USAT event. All athletes will receive a Custom Finisher Medal when crossing the Finish Line!. The event is chip-timed, and athletes will receive splits for each race segment.

_SPRINT TRIATHLON/DUATHLON AWARDS_

1st - Male & Female Overall

SPECIAL AWARDS -> 1st - Male & Female

Masters (40+)
Grand Masters (50+)
Senior Masters (60+)
Senior Grand Masters (70+)
Age Group Awards -> 1st thru 4th Place

Male & Female 19 & UNDER, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

_AQUA BIKE AWARDS_

1st - Male & Female Overall

SPECIAL AWARDS -> 1st - Male & Female

Masters (40+)
Grand Masters (50+)
Senior Masters (60+)
Senior Grand Masters (70+)


_2 ADDITIONAL AGE GROUP AWARDS -> 1ST & 2ND PLACE_

. 49 years old & Under Male & Female

. 50 years old and Over Male & Female

PACKET PICK-UP

FRIDAY APRIL 9TH, 2026

1:30 pm to 5:30 pm

PLAYTRI ST. PETERSBURG
2132 Central Ave

FRIDAY APRIL 10TH, 2026

2:00 pm to 5:30 pm

PLAYTRI ST. PETERSBURG
2132 Central Ave

RACE MORNING - APRIL 11TH
5:45 AM - 6:45 AM at Shelter 11 (The Fort)

_PACKET PICKUP IS AVAILABLE RACE MORNING_, BUT WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO PICK UP YOUR PACKETS THURSDAY AT PLAYTRI IN SARASOTA OR FRIDAY AT OUTSPOKIN BICYCLES IN CLEARWATER

You must furnish a photo ID and proof of current USAT membership. If you do not have a USAT membership, you will be required to purchase a one-day license. If you can not attend Packet Pick-Up but someone else you know can go or is attending, just text them a copy of your driver's license, and they can show it at packet pick-up and pick up your packet, no problem!

Only one (1) relay team member must be present, and you may pick up all relay packets for your relay team.

Race Site click here [https://maps.app.goo.gl/TUNSL5pbTAm2Hp9s6]

INCLUDES

Something totally _"NEW" _will be given to the first 275 athletes that register for the Escape from Fort Desoto Race (T Shirts can be purchased for $10 if desired)

Closed course during the race in Ft. Desoto
THIS IS A USAT-SANCTIONED EVENT!

Results & Finish Line by Florida Road Race Management [https://www.floridaroadrace.com/].

_REFUND POLICY_
The Escape from Ft DeSoto Triathlon reserves the right, in the event of inclement weather, an emergency, or a natural disaster, to cancel the race or reschedule it to a later time. In the event of cancellation, there will be no refund of entry fees. However, the USAT fee will be refunded if it has been prepaid.

_IMPORTANT NOTE:_ All bike riders must be off the street by 9:00 am. The Sheriff will open the park gates, and the public will begin entering. This is nothing new, and it will continue to be a strict policy enforced at all Triathlons/Duathlons held at Fort Desoto.