Nautica Hosts 24th Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon

Even unseasonably chilly weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of the thousands of people participating in the 24th annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon. Held at California’s Zuma Beach, the event raised more than $1 million for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Chris Lieto took home the overall victory, completing the half-mile swim, 18-mile bicycle ride and a four-mile run with in 1 hour, 18 minutes, 20 seconds. Laurel Wassner took home the gold medal in the female division with a time of 1 hour, 30 minutes and 19 seconds.

Among celebrity competitors, “Rules of Engagement” star Megyn Price came in first in the female divison, while “Law & Order: Los Angeles” star Travis Van Winkle took top honors in the male division, and Tem Wolfpack won the co-ed relay division. Other celebrity competitors included Teri Hatcher, Giovanni Ribisi, Mark Feuerstein, Chris Harrison, Gilles Marini, Christian de la Fuente, Julie Bowen, James Marsden, Josh Hopkins and Ryan Sutter, as well as teams from “Avatar,” “The Office,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “In Plain Sight,” “ Law & Order: Los Angeles,” “The Goo Goo Dolls,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “90210,” and “$#*! My Dad Says.” Entertainment journalist Nancy O’Dell emceed the race, cheering on all participants.

For the third consecutive year, racers competed to raise funds for the world-renowned Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and its Pediatric Cancer Research Program. This year’s triathlon marked the second that the event has raised more than $1 million for the hospital.

“The Nautica Malibu Triathlon is much more than a race, it’s a community of individuals committed to improving the world around them,” said Michael Epstein, President, Michael Epstein Sports Productions, Inc. (MESP). “Whether individuals are racing to better themselves physically or are racing for a loved one receiving treatment at Childrens Hospital, the experience created by the triathlon is what makes this event a special Southern California tradition, and this year was no exception.”

“Last year, the Nautica Malibu Triathlon raised the bar a little bit higher,” said Karen Murray, President of Nautica.  “So we were determined to reach that goal of raising over a million dollars again for the patients, families and researchers at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and we are thrilled to have been able to top that amount yet again.”

Dedicated to curing and preventing childhood cancers, the Pediatric Cancer Research Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles provides groundbreaking treatments and therapies for some of the most serious and life-threatening pediatric cancers.

“The work done at Childrens Hospital would not be possible without the support of those willing to donate their valuable time and effort,” said Stuart E. Siegel, M.D., Director of the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and professor and Vice Chair, Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.  “We’re truly humbled and thankful to each competitor and to those who made the Nautica Malibu Triathlon possible.  We look forward to continuing our research and helping more and more of our children and their families return to normal, healthy lives.”