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Rochester Teacher Escaping From Alcatraz This Weekend: Good Luck

On Sunday, Brian Dalton will swim from Alcatraz Island before biking and running 26 miles around San Francisco. Here's why.

Brian Dalton is nervous and excited and ready to put his endurance to the test.

The West Middle School teacher will compete Sunday in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. It's a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island in the frigid, choppy San Francisco Bay, then an 18-mile bike ride and 8-mile run through Golden Gate Park. 

He is one of 2,000 athletes competing in the race. And he's doing it for his Rett girls. 

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It’s important for my students and my own children to learn that whenever given the opportunity to help another person or cause, it feels wonderful," Dalton said Thursday. "There is no greater reward."

Rochester Patch told Dalton's story earlier this year. (Read )

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Rochester Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dalton is competing in the triathlon to raise awareness and money for Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects about 10,000 girls worldwide. Annie MacDonald, 8, and Rachel Morris, 9, are two local girls with Rett; they have become close to Dalton and his students. 

"The kids love to work for something other than themselves," Dalton said. "They learn a lot. They learn not only what Rett is but what it means to help someone else out, which is the most important thing."  

Dalton set out to raise $7,000 to participate in the charity part of the Alcatraz Triathlon. As of Thursday, he had raised $8,000. He was planning to leave for California Friday morning.

"I’m very proud and happy w/ how much we raised," he said. "It’s important to do whatever I can for these little girls."

To learn more about Rett syndrome, visit www.girlpower2cure.org


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