Father and son Tony and Chris Berg of West Windsor completed the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in San Francisco on June 12. ##M:[more]##
The event includes a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to Marina Yacht Club — with the swimmers battling the outgoing current as well as inquisitive sea lions. From there, it was a hilly 18-mile bike ride followed by a hilly 8-mile run through Golden Gate Park along trails, Bakers Beach, and up a 400-step sand ladder.
Tony, born in Australia, moved to the United States in 1981. He works with Johnson & Johnson Worldwide Consolidations Group. He trains both at work and in West Windsor. He runs every lunch hour and rides his bike in the morning and on weekends. Most of his swimming is at Waterworks in West Windsor. He began participating in triathlons in 1983 and Alcatraz was his 25th. He completed the course in 4 hours, 28 minutes.
His son Chris entered his first triathlon when he was 13. “You have to start them young,” says Tony. “He was a good swimmer and enjoys it.” Chris, a graduate of High School North, Class of 2003, attends the University of San Diego. While in High School North, he held seven of the 11 school swim records. He completed the course in 2 hours, 58 minutes. Chris surfs, rides his bike, and jogs, is a member of the triathlon club in San Diego, and swims in the ocean two to three times a week.
Tony’s wife, Priscilla Berg, is a realtor with Gloria Nilson. They lived in East Windsor before moving to West Windsor 17 years ago. Their daughter Sydney is a graduate of High School North, Class of 2004, is also a student at USD. Active in swimming, lacrosse, and field hockey at North, she is on the lacrosse team in college. Two older children are Jill and Ryan.
Having both Chris and Sydney at the same West Coast school is a bonus for the family. “Sydney was accepted by several schools in California and we asked her to consider USD to make it easier for family visits and transporting them to and from school,” says Tony.
Since Alcatraz, Chris competed in the San Diego International Triathlon and has another one later this month. In August, both Chris and Tony compete in another California triathlon.
