( CNN ) -- A 46-year-old man from Austin , Texas , died Sunday during the swim portion of the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco , according to race officials . `` We have reason to believe the gentleman suffered from a massive cardiac event as he entered the water and began the swim , '' race director Bill Burke said in a statement . `` Water safety noticed him immediately and initiated CPR while he was in the water and as they transferred him to land , '' he added . Burke said he believes the man 's death marks the first in the triathlon 's 33-year history . `` The thoughts and prayers of the entire Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon team are with the family and friends of the racer as they mourn this loss , '' he said . The statement did not identify the triathlete who died . ' A lot of people seemed to be having trouble on the swim ' The race , which took place in June last year , was scheduled earlier this year to accommodate the 2013 America 's Cup . The change in date meant athletes competed in colder conditions . Approximately 2,000 people take part in the race each year , according to the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon website . The competition includes a 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz Island , an 18-mile bike race and an 8-mile run . Alcatraz Island , in the San Francisco Bay , is known for a high-security prison that operated there for some 30 years before closing in 1963 . Officially , no one ever escaped from Alcatraz , but a handful of prisoners who attempted to escape were never found and remain listed as `` missing and presumed drowned , '' according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons .
The 46-year - old man is said to have suffered a ` ` massive cardiac event '' He was participating in the 33rd Escape from Hell event . The event included a 1.5 mile swim , an extended road race and an 8-mile run .