Here are a few excerpts from Wikipedia and the official race page:
The course consists of a one-and-a-half mile (2.4 km) swim starting near Alcatraz Island, a half-mile run from the bay to the transition zone at Marina Green, an eighteen-mile (29 km) bike ride, and an eight-mile (12.8 km) run. The run portion includes a notorious section called the "sand ladder" at mile five, a climb from Baker Beach back up to the road that is a combination of sand and about 400 uneven log steps. It was ranked as the number-one triathlon by Inside Triathlon Magazine.
“Escape from Alcatraz is the most iconic triathlon there is.”
SWIM
The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon begins with a 7:30 am plunge into the icy cold bay adjacent to Alcatraz Island. Participants are unloaded from the boat in less than 8 minutes and face strong currents and 55 degree water temperatures on the
1.5-mile (2.4 km) swim.
BIKE
There is 1,200 feet of climbing and descending on the 18-mile bike course that is known for steep hills, switchbacks and rough road.
RUN
The 8-mile (12km) run course can challenge even the most seasoned athletes as you run from road surface, to park trails, to sand, to the infamous Sand Ladder and on to the grassy finish line at Marina Green. The run surfaces will be asphalt, chip trail, sand, sand steps, and grass.
Resources
http://www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com/
http://www.trifind.com/re_158968/EscapeFromAlcatrazTriathlon2015.html
http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/multisport-zone/multisport-lab/articles/advice-for-escaping-alcatraz-042010.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escape_from_Alcatraz_%28triathlon%29