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Participants in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon will put their skills to thetest on a course that includes a half-mile swim in the Pacific Ocean, an18-mile bicycle ride along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway and a four-milerun along the sands of Zuma Beach.
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In addition to pushing themselves physically, competitors will be racingfor a worthy cause. This is the second year that proceeds from the NauticaMalibu Triathlon will benefit the world-renowned Childrens Hospital LosAngeles and its Pediatric Cancer Research Program. Previously, the eventraised nearly $780,000 for Childrens Hospital and organizers are aiming toraise even more in 2008.
"The inspiring stories that emerge from the Nautica Malibu Triathlon everyyear, both from the athletes and the recipients of the generosity of allparticipants, continues to drive our efforts and make every year better thanthe one before," said Michael Epstein, president, Michael Epstein SportsProductions, Inc. (MESP). "We're proud of the dedication of the corporateteams, the athletes, the celebrities, Nautica(R) and Toyota to raise money forChildrens Hospital Los Angeles, an organization that embodies the spirit ofthe Nautica Malibu Triathlon."
"Over the course of its twenty-two year history, the Nautica MalibuTriathlon has grown into a first-class athletic event drawing competitors,celebrities and spectators from around the globe," said Karen Murray,President of Nautica(R). "But despite the athletic accomplishments, we'remost proud of the community that comes together every year and the commitmentthat each participant and spectator makes to supporting the life-saving workof Childrens Hospital Los Angeles."
Dedicated to curing and preventing childhood cancers, the Pediatric CancerResearch Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles provides groundbreakingtreatments and therapies for some of the most serious and life-threateningpediatric cancers to children everywhere.
"Through our ongoing dedication to medical research and diseaseprevention, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and its Pediatric Cancer ResearchProgram is making strides in the fight against this terrible illness," saidStuart E. Siegel, M.D., director of the Childrens Center for Cancer and BloodDiseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and professor and vice chair,pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of SouthernCalifornia. "We are very, very grateful for the generosity of all involvedwith the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, and we look toward the future with hope andan unwillingness to give up in the face of adversity."
The challenge to raise funds for Childrens Hospital fuels the desire ofmany Nautica Malibu Triathlon participants. Among the numerous competitorsthis year is Jeff Castelaz of Los Angeles, whose son Pablo was diagnosed withcancer and was successfully treated at Childrens Hospital. Pablo inspiredJeff to not only compete in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, but to dedicate hislife to raising awareness of Childrens Hospital by starting the PabloveFoundation, a charity that directly supports the pediatric cancer community inand around the hospital.
The Nautica Malibu Triathlon provides a weekend full of activities fromthe Entertainment Industry Challenge that pits Hollywood studios, productioncompanies and agencies against each other for the Studio Cup, to the CorporateChallenge that gives non-entertainment companies the chance to compete againstone another. Participants in this year's Entertainment Industry Challengeinclude last year's winner, Disney, as well as DreamWorks and Paramount, whilethe Corporate Challenge includes
