“Competitive triathletes and great startup leaders have a lot in common — they are focused, well-prepared for multiple events, can recover from disappointments and adversity, are quick to respond, and they are prepared to give it absolutely everything they’ve got, every time.”
— Scott Cathcart
PERSEVERANCE…
…is persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Scott Cathcart has been consistently training and racing as a competitive endurance athlete for more than two decades. When his kids were very young, after each race they’d very cutely ask him if he had won — he hadn’t, and still hasn’t — but he keeps pushing himself.
Cathcart’s favorite race is the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco, which is widely regarded as one of the most challenging triathlon courses in the world. As of 2025, Scott has finished 28 consecutive Escape from Alcatraz Triathlons — completing every race that has been held since 1997 — and the June 2026 race will make it 29. Cathcart’s streak is now the longest active streak in the race’s history. The world record stands at 33 consecutive finishes, held by a retired competitor. Cathcart’s target is to tie the record in 2030 and surpass it in 2031.
For race insights from Cathcart’s Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon experiences, visit scottcathcart.net/escape-from-alcatraz-triathlon.
For Cathcart’s professional work as a founder and operator, visit scottcathcart.com. For his philanthropic initiatives, visit scottcathcart.org.
