Pepperdine University Named Presenting Sponsor of Zuma Beach Triathlon’s Corporate Challenge Benefiting Challenged Athletes Foundation

August 26, 2025

MALIBU, Calif. (August 26, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — The Zuma Foundation is honored to announce Pepperdine University as the Presenting Sponsor of the Zuma Beach Triathlon’s 2025 Corporate Challenge benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).

With Pepperdine University’s generous support, the Corporate Challenge will kick off with unmatched energy, camaraderie, and inspiration. Pepperdine will elevate the experience for all participants, hosting the VIP Corporate Challenge Check-In Area and the Post-Race Brunch on the Beach—a time for athletes, teammates, and supporters to come together in celebration right at the edge of the Pacific.

“Pepperdine University’s partnership goes far beyond sponsorship, it’s a statement of belief in what is possible when we unite around a cause,” said Michael Epstein, founder of the Zuma Beach Triathlon. “Seeing athletes with physical challenges cross the finish line is unforgettable. Pepperdine’s support ensures that even more of those moments will happen this year, and that the Corporate Challenge will continue to inspire for years to come.”

The Corporate Challenge invites companies to compete in relay divisions of the Zuma Beach Triathlon while raising crucial funds for CAF. These funds provide adaptive sports equipment, training, and mentorship for athletes with physical challenges, helping them reach their athletic dreams.

“Pepperdine is proud to partner with the Zuma Foundation and Challenged Athletes Foundation to champion an event that celebrates perseverance, teamwork, and the limitless potential of the human spirit,” said Sean Burnett, Senior Vice President for Integrated Marketing Communications and Chief Marketing Officer, Pepperdine University. “As a longstanding member of the Malibu community, we have witnessed firsthand its strength and resilience in the face of challenges like the recent fires. The Corporate Challenge reflects our shared values of service, leadership, and community, and we are honored to help create an unforgettable experience that uplifts both athletes and our neighbors.”

More than a race, the Corporate Challenge is a celebration of grit, perseverance, and community. It’s the moment where corporate teams stand side-by-side with athletes who have overcome unimaginable obstacles and athletes who prove that nothing can limit the human spirit.

“When an athlete with a physical challenge receives the right equipment, training, and community support, everything changes—not just for them, but for everyone who witnesses their journey”, said Bob Babbitt, Co-Founder And Board Vice President, Challenged Athletes Foundation. “The Corporate Challenge is proof that sport has the power to unite and inspire. We’re grateful to Pepperdine University for helping us create more finish-line moments that will be remembered forever.”

For more information, visit https://zumabeachtriathlon.org/

About Zuma Foundation

About Zuma Foundation: The Zuma Foundation is a Malibu, California based non-profit organization formed to create athletic, health and wellness initiatives and events, including triathlons for all ages. Our local funding mission is to directly benefit Malibu’s youth-serving nonprofits focused on character development, healthy lifestyles, and mental health and wellness. The Zuma Foundation was awarded a long-term agreement with The City of Malibu to produce the triathlon in Malibu. To learn more, please visit https://zumabeachtriathlon.org/.

About Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is a private Christian university located 30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles in Malibu, California. Rooted in the Christian tradition, Pepperdine is committed to both the relentless pursuit of truth through academic and scholarly excellence and to embodying Christian faith and values. With students at the heart of the educational enterprise, the University prepares approximately 9,000 scholars for lives of purpose, service, and leadership across its flagship liberal arts school, Seaver College; the Pepperdine College of Health Science; and four graduate schools—the Caruso School of Law; the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School; the Graduate School of Education and Psychology; and the School of Public Policy. Follow Pepperdine on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) stands as a global leader in empowering individuals with physical disabilities to embrace vibrant, active lives. CAF firmly believes that engaging in physical activity fosters self-esteem, encourages independence, and enriches the quality of life. CAF has been at the forefront of the adaptive sports movement for more than three transformative decades, catalyzing change and redefining possibilities. Since its inception in 1994, CAF has raised over $191 million and fulfilled 55,000+ funding requests from people with physical disabilities across all 50 states and more than 70 countries, impacting another 60,000 individuals annually through its outreach efforts. From providing essential equipment like handcycles to offering mentorship and encouragement, CAF’s mission is clear: to provide opportunities and support to those who aspire to lead active, athletic lifestyles. To learn more, please visit www.challengedathletes.org

Media Contact:

Austin Ruth
austin@ballantinespr.com
Ballantines PR