SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A 51-year-old woman from Houston, Texas, was pulled out of the water near San Francisco after apparently drowning during the Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon.
The Alcatraz Challenge Aquathalon & Swim is a 1.5 mile race that starts at Alcatraz Island and goes to the East Beach of Crissy Field, Calif., the Houston Chronicle reported.
Sara "Sally" Lowes of Houston was found floating in San Francisco Bay Sunday morning near Crissy Field beach and her body was recovered by a Marin County Sheriff's patrol boat.
Race director Gary Emich said that although the race's motto is "Swim or Die," Lowes' is the first death to be recorded in the Aquathalon's 27 years.
"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," he said.
