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A challenged athlete from Danville is hoping he can set an example for others by competing in what’s described as one of the toughest triathlons in the world.
Creighton Wong was born with a congenital defect that caused him to have missing fingers on both hands and his right leg had to be amputated above the knee. He’ll be competing June 5 in the 31st annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, which includes a 1.5 mile swim in the open waters of the bay, an 18-mile bicycle ride through the hills of San Francisco and an eight run that includes the 400-step Equinox Sand Ladder near the Golden Gate Bridge.
“I just sort of take it on as a challenge and if I’ve got to work harder to complete the race, I’ve got to work harder,” Wong said. “At the end of the day, I’ve got to figure out how to cross that finish line.”
Wong said he became interested in triathlons about five years ago, but he doesn’t just race for himself.
“I race for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. We have a team up here called team CAF Norcal…so that the challenged athlete has the opportunity and a place to get started,” he said. “Our job is to give the next generation of athletes sort of a safe place to try things out.”
And while the Challenged Athletes Foundation is all about getting people involved in everything from wheelchair basketball to skiing, Wong’s passion is triathlons, and Escape from Alcatraz is an especially difficult event.
“The swim’s going to be challenging that’s for sure,” Wong said, adding when it comes time to mount a bicycle for the second leg, “there’s a lot of elevation in a very short time.”
He said even top-level athletes are tempted to hit the brakes on the long downhill runs.
At the age of 37 and with five major triathlons on his schedule this year alone, training is a consistent thing for Wong.
“I enjoy the opportunity to go out there and compete. I enjoy the lifestyle of being in good shape. Also, there’s a certain component — the passion that comes from racing in triathlons, we do it for a purpose. For me, for the next generation of kids growing up, that message is anything is possible,” Wong said. “I really do love the process of trying to master a skill. There’s definitely days that test your patience level, that’s for sure.
“I think you learn so much about yourself and about life by competing,” he added.
