SAN FRANCISCO – Justin Hartford of Greene successfully completed the grueling Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.

Hartford, 29, finished 65th in his age group and 665th overall. Nearly 1,300 racers completed the race. which included a 1-mile swim, a 1-mile transition run, an 18-mile bike race and an eight-mile run to the finish.

His final time was two hours, 53 minutes and four seconds.

The winner crossed the line in a record time of 1:54.41.

According to Hartford, the weather was sunny with temperatures in the upper 60s. Even cool San Francisco bay was a balmy 58 degrees.

“I managed the swim course in 31:57,” Hartford wrote in an e-mail. “It was a fast swim for everyone due to favorable tides, even considering that, I had an excellent swim for me. The pro’s were doing the swim in the lower 20 minute range.

“The bike was very hilly on some rough pavement. There weren’t many hills, however they were very long and fairly steep. I got through the bike in 1:02.40 a little longer than I hoped for but I am happy with it given the terrain and rough roads.”

Admitting earlier in the week that the run would be his toughest test, Hartford finished that portion in 1:11.08.

“There was a lot of running through trails in the woods barely wide enough for one person. And those trails had a lot of stairs to climb and descend a real lot of stairs.”

The final stretch included a 400-step sand ladder, where he said he passed several competitors.

“I am pleased with the results and had a fabulous time during my escape,” said Hartford.