Triathlon Spirit Returns to Malibu as Athletes and Community Shine at This Weekend’s Zuma Beach Triathlon benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu

September 15, 2025

Malibu, CA (September 15, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, the Zuma Beach Triathlon was held on Sunday, uniting athletes, families, and the community for an unforgettable day of competition and camaraderie. The event raised over $150,000 and brought together thousands of athletes and spectators, creating an atmosphere of energy, resilience, and shared purpose.

More than just a race, the Zuma Beach Triathlon highlighted the power of sport to change lives. Proceeds from this year’s event will support two impactful organizations: the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), which provides opportunities and adaptive sports equipment to athletes with physical challenges, and the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, which provides after-school enrichment programs, no cost mental health services, and long-term disaster recovery services for Franklin and Palisades Fire survivors

This year also introduced the Corporate Challenge presented by Pepperdine University, encouraging local businesses and organizations to compete as teams while fundraising for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Together, the teams raised over $100,000 for CAF, adding a spirited layer of camaraderie and friendly competition, reinforcing the triathlon’s commitment to community impact.

Adding star power to the race, celebrities and athletes including Rob Riggle (The Daily Show, The Hangover), David Chokachi (Baywatch), Mark Feuerstein (Royal Pains), Paul Lieberstein (The Office), David Denman (The Office, Peacemaker), Genevieve Morton (Sports Illustrated model), Olympian Colleen Quigley, and professional golfer Kasia Kay joined the field. Their participation helped shine a spotlight on the event’s mission and brought fans and families to Zuma Beach to cheer them on.

“The Zuma Beach Triathlon has always been about more than crossing the finish line, it’s about coming together as a community to uplift others,” said Michael Epstein, founder of the Zuma Beach Triathlon. “This year’s event showcased the incredible spirit of our athletes, volunteers, and partners, all rallying to make a difference for the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu. Seeing that energy on Zuma Beach reminds us why we will continue to do this year after year.”

The race welcomed athletes of all levels from first-time triathletes to seasoned competitors, each inspired by the cause. Among the most moving moments of the day were the performances of challenged athletes, whose determination and perseverance embodied the event’s spirit.

“At CAF, we believe sport has the power to transform lives,” said Bob Babbitt, Co-Founder and Board Vice President, Challenged Athletes Foundation. “Today, that belief was brought to life at Zuma Beach as athletes of all abilities raced side by side. The support from this event helps provide adaptive equipment, training, and opportunities that open doors for athletes with physical challenges. We’re grateful to the Zuma Beach Triathlon community for helping us create a more inclusive world through sport.”

In addition to the athletic achievements, the day celebrated community impact. By rallying together in support of CAF and the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, participants, sponsors, and corporate teams helped raise over $150,000 to fuel programs that uplift lives through sport, mentorship, and opportunity. This included a $50,000 donation from the Zuma Foundation to the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu.

The morning closed not only with medals and personal victories, but with a collective sense of pride in building a stronger, more inclusive community.

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 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

About Boys & Girls Club Malibu

For over 25 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu (BGCM) (http://www.bgcmalibu.org) has served as a trusted anchor for local youth and families—offering safe spaces, mentorship, youth enrichment programs and no cost mental health services. Today, BGCM is not only a hub for youth development—it’s a full-scale disaster recovery center dedicated to long-term community recovery post natural disasters. The BGCM was founded in 1999 by the founding board of the Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families and is a 501(c)(3): 95-4774844.

Media Contact:

Austin Ruth
austin@ballantinespr.com
Ballantines PR