Monster March Madness

Hello Participants

Welcome, new and returning Escape participants!

2026 Marks the "40th Anniversary" of the Escape from Ft. DeSoto

ATTENTION: We are adding FREE → Hot Food & BEER - It's going to be a Celebration for Sure!

News FLASH... We changed the giveaway from socks to ???? - Way cool, we are being told!

First 275 Entries will get it - To be posted on the site, when they arrive!

Starting January 1st, 2026

FREE T-shirts for all Participants

Signing up!

To those of you who have done the event before, welcome back! To those new to the event, you may be interested to know that the park is ranked among the top ten beaches in the United States; 900 unspoiled acres surround you. First-timers, we anticipate you will have a great first triathlon at Ft. DeSoto. To all, we ask that you enjoy the surroundings and please leave the park cleaner than you found it. The Run portion of this event is 3.1 miles.

Escape From Ft. Desoto means Distances are unusual since you need to Escape!

• Sprint Triathlon → .50 Mile Swim | Bike 10 Miles | Run 3.1 Miles

• Sprint Duathlon → Run 1.5 Mile | Bike 10 Miles | Run 3.1 Miles

• Aqua Bike → 1/2 Mile Swim | Bike 10 Miles

This event has grown in popularity in the past five years and will close out at 500 entries this year. This is a USAT event. All athletes will receive a Custom Finisher Medal when crossing the Finish Line!. The event is chip-timed, and athletes will receive splits for each race segment.

Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon Awards

1st - Male & Female Overall

Special Awards → 1st - Male & Female

Masters (40+)

Grand Masters (50+)

Senior Masters (60+)

Senior Grand Masters (70+)

Age Group Awards → 1st thru 4th Place

Male & Female – 19 & UNDER, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

Aqua Bike Awards

1st - Male & Female Overall

Special Awards → 1st - Male & Female

Masters (40+)

Grand Masters (50+)

Senior Masters (60+)

Senior Grand Masters (70+)

2 Additional Age Group Awards → 1st & 2nd Place

· 49 years old & Under – Male & Female

· 50 years old and Over – Male & Female

Packet Pick-Up

Friday - April 9th, 2026

1:30 pm to 5:30 pm

PLAYTRI ST. PETERSBURG

2132 Central Ave

Saturday - April 10th, 2026

2:00 pm to 5:30 pm

PLAYTRI ST. PETERSBURG

2132 Central Ave

Race Morning - April 11th

5:45 AM - 6:45 AM at Shelter 11 (The Fort)

PACKET PICKUP IS AVAILABLE RACE MORNING, BUT WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO PICK UP YOUR PACKETS THURSDAY or Friday AT PLAYTRI IN ST. Petersburg.

You must furnish a photo ID and proof of current USAT membership. If you do not have a USAT membership, you will be required to purchase a one-day license. If you can not attend Packet Pick-Up but someone else you know can go or is attending, just text them a copy of your driver's license, and they can show it at packet pick-up and pick up your packet, no problem!

Only one (1) relay team member must be present, and you may pick up all relay packets for your relay team.

Race Site click here

INCLUDES

Something totally "NEW" will be given to the first 275 athletes that register for the Escape from Fort Desoto Race (T Shirts can be purchased for $10 if desired)

Closed course during the race in Ft. Desoto

This is a USAT-sanctioned event!

Results & Finish Line by Florida Road Race Management.

Refund Policy

The Escape from Ft DeSoto Triathlon reserves the right, in the event of inclement weather, an emergency, or a natural disaster, to cancel the race or reschedule it to a later time. In the event of cancellation, there will be no refund of entry fees. However, the USAT fee will be refunded if it has been prepaid.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All bike riders must be off the street by 9:00 am. The Sheriff will open the park gates, and the public will begin entering. This is nothing new, and it will continue to be a strict policy enforced at all Triathlons/Duathlons held at Fort Desoto.

Distances:

Chosen as one of the best "Destination Triathlons" and where the "World's Best Come to Race"! The 43rd St. Anthony's Triathlon will take place through the scenic downtown waterfront swim course, a flat and fast bike course followed by the run course known to be a favorite of several pro triathletes. Three races offered from beginners in the Meek & Mighty to the Sprint and Olympic distance events.

St. Anthony's Triathlon Olympic Distance Swim: 1.5K, Bike: 40K, Run: 10K

St. Anthony’s Sprint Triathlon Swim: 750m, Bike: 18K, Run: 5K

Meek and Mighty (Pool Swim, Bike, Run)

Age 11+: Swim: 200yds, Bike: 5.4mi, Run: 1mi

Age 7-10: Swim: 100yds, Bike: 3.6mi, Run: 1/2 mi

Registration Policy: NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS! Race management reserves the right to cancel or modify the event due to unfavorable conditions. Race management also reserves the right to accept or reject all entry forms.

THERE IS NO RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP FOR THE SPRINT AND OLYMPIC DISTANCES.

Registration For the Sprint and Olympic Distances Closes: Saturday 4/25/2026 3:30pm Eastern

Olympic distance OPEN age group (formerly ELITE AMATEUR) Competition This is a category for ELITE athletes only - you don't need to send in a time to race the Olympic as an age grouper: Select Olympic Triathlon - Open (form. Elite Amateur). You will be required to provide a finish time and proof of your results within the last year. Male athletes must provide proof of completing an International triathlon distance event in 2025 in a time of 2:15:00 or better. Female athletes must provide proof of completing an International triathlon distance event in 2025 in a time of 2:30:00 or better. THIS IS ONLY FOR THIS CATEGORY.

VIP Entry ($265): VIP entries help to support our non-profit organizations that assist by volunteering their time event week. This entry is not tax-deductible and is considered a general individual entry but may gain you access to the VIP wave. The VIP entry also includes a parking pass, a wristband to the hospitality tent post race, and a 12 minute post race massage.

Relays: Each team member must register themselves. There are no relay team changes after 4/20/26.

Professional Athletes: Professional athletes please contact Patrick.McGee@baycare.org.

4TH ANNUAL SGT. ANTHONY MUHLSTADT DEFENDER RUCK

DEADLINE FOR GUARANTEED EVENT SHIRT IS MAY 20th.

AFTER MAY 20th, T-SHIRTS WILL BE BASED ON AVAILABILITY. THANK YOU

Proceeds to benefit local organizations committed to battling military suicide

Ruck. Remember. Defend.

Anthony’s Defender Run/Ruck or Walk is more than a physical challenge—it is a mission of purpose, remembrance, and ACTION.

We ruck to honor Sgt. Anthony Patrick Muhlstadt, USMC, and every service member who has silently carried the weight of stress, trauma, and isolation while serving our country. Anthony’s life, service, and loss remind us that strength does not mean suffering alone—and that suicide prevention begins with connection, education, and courage.

This event exists because suicide is claiming the lives of our active-duty military and veterans at an alarming rate, and too often the warning signs are missed. Anthony’s Defender Ruck was created to bring those conversations out of the shadows and into the open—where real change happens.

When you participate, you are doing more than showing up:

You are standing in defense of life

You are raising awareness for suicide prevention

You are funding critical training and resources that equip people to recognize the signs, have hard conversations, and intervene when it matters most

You are honoring the fallen and supporting the living

Whether you ruck in person, participate virtually or sponsor, you become part of a community that refuses to stay silent and chooses to lead with action.

We ruck to remember

We ruck to protect those still serving.

We ruck so others know they are never alone.

Thank you for stepping up, shouldering the weight, and defending hope.

This year we’ve added a couple fun new options:

Create-a-Team (ruck, run, or walk together!)

Referral rewards + new swag rewards when you invite friends to register

Refer 5 people using your unique link and receive up to a $20.00 refund

Refer 10 people using your unique link and choose a Sgt. Anthony Patrick Muhlstadt Foundation t-shirt or a foundation tumbler

The Defender 5K and Ruck Walk is also a celebration of life; the lives that were lived in honor of God, Community, and Country. Participants are welcome to join Anthony's family and friends for a special birthday celebration after completion of the Defender Ruck Walk. There will be music, vendors, giveaways, camaraderie, friendship, love, and, of course, birthday cake. Participants are encouraged to use their own devices (smartwatches, etc.) to track their times.

Kick off your race season at historic Fort De Soto Park with a 15K, 10K, or 5K – a distance for every runner and walker. As the sun rises, the start is underway! And when you finish then celebrate your effort and the start of Tampa Bay's running season with good food, great craft beer, and awesome music. Florida Road Races, "Where Running and Fun Meet"!

Fort De Soto Park has been named “America’s Top Beach” by TripAdvisor several times over the years citing a “spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, clear water, and a laid-back atmosphere.”