Early this year, Malibu City Council awarded a race permit and contract to the Zuma Foundation – with a new event, the Zuma Beach Triathlon, replacing the Malibu Triathlon and scheduled for September 14-15, 2024.
This year’s event in Los Angeles County, CA, has, however, now been cancelled with the aim of being back in 2025. The Zuma Foundation event organisation team has issued a statement to athletes giving further details…
‘With the goal of producing a world-class triathlon event for the City of Malibu, the local community, participants, and all stakeholders involved, the Zuma Foundation has requested that the City of Malibu postpone The Zuma Beach Triathlon to the Fall of 2025. This decision prioritizes the safety of participants and ensures the delivery of a world-class event for the City of Malibu, local residents and athletes.
‘The health and wellbeing of our race participants is of the utmost importance. The ongoing construction and repair issues on Pacific Coast Highway, including the delayed completion of the Trancas Bridge project, among others, have led us to reschedule the event due to safety concerns for the thousands of athletes that come to Malibu to train on the course leading up to the race.
‘The Zuma Foundation is committed to delivering an exceptional triathlon experience. By adjusting our timeline to take into account the ongoing repairs on the course and Pacific Coast Highway, we can ensure optimal course conditions and a truly unforgettable event. Most importantly, this decision prioritizes the safety of all athletes participating.
‘Thank you for your understanding and support of the Zuma Foundation during this transitional year. Additional details and information to come.
The Zuma Foundation Board of Directors’
The Zuma Foundation is headed up by Michael Epstein, the former race director of the Malibu Triathlon. During a series of city council meetings, Super League (which produced Super League Triathlon Malibu from 2021-23) went head-to-head with Epstein over the awarding of a race permit for 2024.
Having acquired the Malibu Triathlon, Super League owns the rights to the event brand. Yet, without a race permit from the city council, the Malibu Triathlon event ceased – at least for now, with the new Zuma Beach Triathlon awarded the race permit for this year. Sadly, with the latest 2024 event cancellation, it appears that no triathlon racing will be getting underway in Malibu this September.
