By KATHLEEN BISHOP Special to the Daily Press
Celebrities, professional athletes and about 2,000 others will replace regular beachgoers on Zuma Beach this weekend as participants run, bike and swim in the 18th annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon. The event will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. It’s scheduled for Sunday and consists of a half-mile Pacific Ocean swim, an 18-mile bike ride on Pacific Coast Highway and a four-mile run to Point Dume and back. Though participation in the race is sold out, the weekend’s events are free and open to the public.
Celebrity competitors include David Duchovny, Disney President and COO Bob Iger, defending champion Tate Donovan, “Two and a Half Men”’s Jon Cryer, “CSI: Miami”’s Emily Procter, and “The Bachelorette”’s Ryan Sutter. Athletes include 2004 swimming Olympic medalist Amanda Beard, 2004 swimming Olympic silver medalist Larson Jensen, 2002-2003 Ironman champion Lori Bowden and 2000 triathlon Olympic silver medalist Michelle Jones.
Mary Ellen Barone, a representative for Nautica who has worked on the triathlon the eight years the company has sponsored it, cited Zuma’s scenery, manageable distances and a worthy foundation as the primary reasons for the race’s popularity.
“I’ve seen this triathlon grow from about 700 entrants to more than 2,100,” she said. “It’s just an easy, comfortable, feel-good time that people enjoy... it’s not just come do the triathlon, feel great that you did it and leave, it’s a two-day event.”
Attendees and competitors also may enjoy Saturday’s Spectator Festival on Zuma Beach from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., where a sand castle demonstration and clinics on biking, health and wellness, and training tips will be held throughout the day.
Competitors had the option to do the race alone or as a relay team. One Santa Monica woman didn’t see her solo participation as a great feat worthy of praise, but more of a challenge to herself and an opportunity to contribute to a good cause.
Christie Gloster has been doing triathlons since November, but this is her first Olympic distance.
“You reach a certain age where you need to stretch again and challenge yourself and get out there and see what you can do,” she said.
Paul Michael Glaser, husband of the late Elizabeth Glaser, lives in Gloster’s neighborhood. Elizabeth Glaser contracted HIV from a blood transfusion, and the disease was passed on to her son, Jake, and daughter, Ariel. Glaser and two friends started the foundation in 1988 after Ariel Glaser’s death from the disease. Glaser worked toward eradicating pediatric AIDS until her death in 1994.
“There’s no question that this inspires me,” Gloster said. “Any time you’re doing an event and it has a cause attached, it motivates you even more.”
The triathlon has raised more than $600,000 for the foundation over the past eight years through donations and participant sponsorships. The goal for this year is $135,000, and the final tally of funds raised will be revealed with the presentation of a check after the race.
The race begins at 7:15 a.m. Sunday at Zuma Beach. The parking lot closes at 7 a.m. as to not disrupt the course. The fastest individuals and teams are expected to finish in about an hour and a half. After the race, there is a sold-out celebrity brunch, 12-and-under “Tot Trot” race, and celebrity and competitor awards ceremonies.
The event will air on Fox Sports Net Saturday, Oct. 16.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 16, 2004. Read the original PDF.