ZUMA BEACH TRIATHLON
history of triathlon in malibu
the founding years: 1987-1997
1987
Michael Epstein, a local athlete and triathlon enthusiast, creates the original short distance triathlon in Malibu, with the help of Team Malibu, the local triathlon club. Local legends Gerry Rodrigues, Kevin Steele, Chris Frost and others help launch the event. A total of 300 participants race. Trancas Restaurant becomes the first title sponsor and the race is called The Trancas Restaurant Malibu Triathlon. Emilio Desoto and Janet Mamon are the winners overall.
1993
The triathlon in Malibu becomes one of five triathlons in the “A Day at the Beach Triathlon Series”. Events were located from Santa Barbara down to Hermosa Beach and included beach volleyball tournaments, sand castle contests, and races. Tom Cruise is the first celebrity to participate in the triathlon in Malibu.
1994
Hard Rock Café becomes the title sponsor, and the event becomes known as The Hard Rock Café Malibu Triathlon.
1997
Race limits are expanded to a field limit for 1,000 participants. After founder’s Michael Epstein’s wife Cris survives multiple cancer battles, they decide to integrate a fundraising component into the event; The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is selected as the official charity partner. Nautica becomes the Official Title Sponsor of the triathlon in Malibu, and it is called The Nautica Malibu Triathlon. Over $15,000 is raised for EGAF this year.
Actor Robin Williams races in and hosts the Nautica Malibu Triathlon on behalf of EGPAF and the Celebrity Division is officially launched.
Road racing cyclist, Lance Armstrong, also participates.
At age 7 the now gold-medalist for the USA Paralympics Team, Rudy Garcia-Tolson, raced in and launched the Challenged Athlete Division for the triathlon in Malibu.
the growth years: 1998-2012
1998
The Nautica Malibu Triathlon breaks away from “A Day at the Beach Triathlon Series” and stands on its own. The Corporate Challenge is introduced. Corporations gather employees together to train, race, and fundraise for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Secondary charities are added including the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Team In Training, AIDS Project Los Angeles and more. From 1998-2012 more than 7 million dollars is raised for the charities.
2002
Will Ferrell, David James Elliot, Mark Feuerstein, and David Duchovny are among the celebrities that come out to participate while actress Minnie Driver hands out medals.
2007
After raising millions of dollars for the Elizabeth Gaser Pediatric Foundation and helping achieve their goal to develop drugs to prevent mother to child transmission of the HIV virus, Pediatric Cancer research at CHLA is selected as a new beneficiary of The Nautica Malibu Triathlon.
2008
The Nautica South Beach Triathlon in Miami Beach Florida is created as a sister event with many of the same principles, including celebrities, Corporate Teams and fundraising for St Judes Children’s Research Hospital.
The Olympic Distance race is added making the Nautica Malibu Triathlon a 2-day event with the Olympic Distance on Saturday and the Classic Distance on Sunday.
Jennifer Lopez, Cindy Crawford, and Matthew McConaughey, are just a few of the many celebrities to join the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, causing a media frenzy.
2009
David Hasselhoff is the race starter and reenacts his Baywatch beach run across Zuma Beach. Chris McMormack, the two-time Ironman champion, wins the Nautica Malibu Triathlon.
2010
Between the two days of the Olympic and International distances, the field limit is expanded to meet the needs of over 5,000 athletes.
2011
The Nautica Malibu Triathlon celebrates a monumental 25th consecutive year, as well as 15 years with Nautica. Out of respect for the 9/11 tragedy, the event is postponed for 2 weeks and actor David Duchovny lends his support to the rescheduled date, racing in New York Nicks Basketball shorts out of solidarity for his hometown.
the steady years: 2012-2019
2012 -2017
The event flourishes, celebrities and athletes come out in droves.
2019
The first ever Long Course is added with over 800 athletes competing in the 1.2-mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1-mile run. From its inception to 2019, more than 20 million dollars is raised for the various charities. Nearly 90,000 athletes cross the finish line since inception.
the transition years: 2020-2024
2020 -2024
Over this period, ownership changes take place at the triathlon in Malibu. The event is cancelled in 2020 due to COVID–19. In 2023, the bike course is greatly shortened at the last minute due to the lack of viable plans to avoid a seasonally flooded part of the bike course. Construction issues force the postponement of the 2024 event to 2025.
Triathlon Returns to Malibu
2025
The Zuma Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is formed. Michael Epstein returns to help restore faith and confidence in the triathlon event in Malibu. A new and improved bike course is introduced that utilizes beautiful long stretches of PCH while avoiding any seasonal flooding issues. The triathlon in Malibu is named The Zuma Beach Triathlon and is launched with overwhelming success. The Zuma Foundation Triathlon for Kids is launched – the first ever triathlon for Kids in Malibu.
Headlines in the press exclaim “Zuma Beach Triathlon Unites The Community.” $50,000 is donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu and over $100,000 is raised for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
2026 & Beyond
The Zuma Beach Triathlon continues to support the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu as well as the Challenged Athletes Foundation in 2026.
Be part of this incredible triathlon in Malibu by racing, joining a team and competing at the next Zuma Beach Triathlon in September. See you there!