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# Zuma Beach Triathlon returns in September with racing and charity push
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/zuma-beach-triathlon-returns-in-september-with-racing-and-charity-push/
- Published: 2026-08-28T18:59:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-28T18:58:59.000Z
- Author: Maaz Alin
- Tags: Non Profit, Malibu

The Zuma Beach Triathlon will return to Malibu on Sept. 19 and 20, sending participants into the water at Zuma Beach, along the coastline by bike and past the cliffs of Point Dume on foot, while raising money for athletes with physical disabilities.

Registration is open for the 2026 event, which offers three courses. The Zuma Distance and Olympic Distance will be held Sept. 20, and the Kids Triathlon will take place Sept. 19.

The Zuma Distance features a half-mile swim, a 16-mile bike ride and a 4-mile run. The Olympic Distance is more advanced, with a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run. The Kids Triathlon, for ages 9 to 14, includes a 100-yard swim, 3-mile bike ride and half-mile run for ages 9 to 11, and a 200-yard swim, 6-mile bike ride and 1-mile run for ages 12 to 14.

The event's CAF Corporate Challenge, presented by Pepperdine University, follows the Zuma Distance course and raises money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which funds adaptive sports equipment, training and community support. The fundraising minimum is $250 per person, with added perks at $350 and $500\. Participating companies include Bank of America, J.P.Morgan, Lido Advisors, Lionsgate, United Talent Agency, Compass Real Estate, Minimed and Amgen.

"With our Malibu location, we offer an experience that other sports destinations can't," said Michael Epstein, executive director and founder of the triathlon. He said his Malibu events have raised more than $20 million for great causes. Epstein launched the first Corporate Challenge at Zuma Beach in 1997.

Challenged Athletes Foundation competitors will race throughout the weekend, and Paralympic athletes preparing for LA28 are also expected to take part.

"Triathlon is about discovering what's possible," said Bob Babbitt, co-founder of the foundation, adding that the event brings athletes of all abilities together on the same course.

The triathlon offers open water swim clinics, bike training and transition training before race weekend, along with a podcast and eight- and 16-week training plans for non-locals.

Produced by the Malibu-based Zuma Foundation, the event supports local youth nonprofits. It will donate $55,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu this year, up from $50,000 in 2025.

Information and registration are available at[ ](http://www.zumabeachtriathlon.org/?ref=smdp.com)[www.zumabeachtriathlon.org](http://www.zumabeachtriathlon.org/?ref=smdp.com).

Edited by SMDP Staff