The 18th annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon will take place on Sunday at Zuma Beach. The event will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Hailed as a sporting event favorite among celebrities, athletes and weekend warriors, the triathlon typically attracts more than 2,000 participants and several thousand spectators.
Athletes get an early start as they compete in a half-mile swim in the Pacific Ocean, an 18-mile bike ride along Pacific Coast Highway and a four-mile run to Point Dume and back. Racers get the opportunity to compete individually or as part of a relay team.
Scheduled festivities include a sand castle demonstration, sports clinics and interactive booths. Children 12 and under can participate in the Nautica Tot Trot, where they compete in either a 50-yard dash or a 100-yard dash. Requiring a $10 entry fee, all participating children receive a Tot Trot race bag, a commemorative race medal and race t-shirt.
The “Entertainment Industry Challenge” also returns this year, bringing together key figures in Hollywood who are dedicated to raising money for EGPAF. Companies competing for the award include last year’s winner Disney, which raised more than $55,000 in donations.
Celebrities and sports stars scheduled to participate include Jon Cryer (“Two and A Half Men”), Tate Donovan (“The O.C.”), Emily Procter (“CSI:Miami”), David James Elliott (“JAG”) and Ryan Sutter (“Bachelorette”). Sport stars include 2002-03 Ironman champion Lori Bowden, triathlon Olympic silver medalist Michelle Jones and triathlete Nicole Deboom.
The registration fee is $90 for individual entrants and $115 for three-person relay teams. All participants, including spectators, will receive entry to an on-site celebrity VIP brunch when they pledge a minimum of $100. All proceeds go toward the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which provides care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS and accelerates the discovery of new treatments for other life threatening pediatric illnesses.
For more information or to register for the triathlon, visit www.nauticamalibutri.com or call 818.707.8867. For more information about the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, visit www.pedaids.org or call 314.1459.