LOS ANGELES, Aug. 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Sunday, September 16th athletes from around the country will gather on Zuma Beach to participate in the 21st Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon presented by Toyota. Every year this fun-filled athletic event brings together professional athletes, celebrities and triathlon enthusiasts to test their strength and stamina. In addition, organizers of this year's triathlon are proud to welcome a new charitable partnership with Childrens Hospital Los Angeles -- with a portion of the proceeds going directly to Childrens Hospital's Pediatric Cancer Research Program. Over the past 10 years, over $2 million has been raised for charity.
Malibu residents and visitors look forward to this truly inspirational event every summer as it brings together people from all walks of life. Thousands of spectators will line the route to cheer on their favorite athletes as they begin the race at 7:15am. Racers will navigate a course that begins with a 1/2 mile ocean swim, followed by an 18-mile bike ride and ends with a 4-mile run along Pacific Coast Highway.
"Twenty-one years ago, when I stood at the start of the first race I could only dream that this triathlon would become such a successful event. With the help of some very dedicated athletes and sincerely committed corporations, such as Nautica(r) and Toyota, we look forward to raising much-needed funds for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and creating memories that will last a lifetime," said Michael Epstein of Michael Epstein Sports Productions, Inc. (MESP)
"We are proud to support the Nautica Malibu Triathlon," said Denise Seegal, President and CEO of Nautica. "Watching the dedicated athletes train for this event, raise money for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and then strive to complete the race is truly inspirational."
The Pediatric Cancer Research Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles provides children in Los Angeles, throughout the United States and around the world with the benefit of new and successful therapies for some of the most serious pediatric cancers, such as leukemia, brain tumors, retinoblastoma and neuroblastoma.
"We are deeply grateful to all the organizers, sponsors and participants in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon for becoming partners in our research efforts to find effective treatments for children and teenagers fighting cancer," 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 of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. "By being part of this wonderful event, we are planting the seeds of new ideas that we hope will grow to life-saving breakthroughs for young people who have cancer in Southern California and throughout the world."
Participants can race as individuals or relay teams. Nearly half of the athletes will compete in one of two challenges: the Entertainment Industry Challenge or the Corporate Challenge. The Entertainment Industry Challenge brings together the top studios, production companies and talent agencies to compete for the Studio Cup, which is awarded to the fastest team in this category. This year's Entertainment Teams include Disney, Warner Bros, DreamWorks and Lions Gate Entertainment, just to name a few.
The Corporate Challenge offers non-entertainment companies the same chance to compete. This year's Corporate Challenge teams include, but are not limited to Nestle, Herbalife, Amgen, Yahoo!, Neutrogena, Men's Health and Bosley. Prizes will also be awarded to the team in each category that raises the most amount of money for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
Adding to the fun of the weekend, a spectator festival will be held the day before the race on Saturday, September 15, 2007. Events will include a Sand Castle Demo, Beach Expo with Interactive Booths, Bike Demo's and Specialty Clinics.
Weekend Schedule:
Saturday, September 15, 2007
10:00am Sand Castle Demo Begins
1:00pm Pre-Race Registration/ Packet Pick-Up Begins
Beach Expo Opens
Interactive Booths Open
Bike Demo
1:15pm Bike clinic at the Main Stage
2:00pm Nutrition clinic
2:45pm Triathlon clinic with professional triathlete
3:30pm Swim clinic at Main Stage
Sunday, September 16, 2007
5:30 - 6:45am Registration Open
7:15am Race Begins
9:00am FunZone Opens
Nautica Tot Trot and Kids Race Signup
10:00am Celebrity Division Awards Ceremony
10:45am Competitor Awards Ceremony
11:00am Nautica Tot Trot and Kids Race Starts
About Childrens Hospital Los Angeles:
Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been treating the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century, and it is acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. Childrens Hospital is one of America's premier teaching hospitals, affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California since 1932. It is a national leader in pediatric research.
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles treats 62,000 patients a year in its Emergency Department. It admits more than 11,000 children a year to the hospital, with almost 50-percent of those admissions children under four years of age. There are more than 287,000 visits a year to its 29 outpatient clinics; nearly 5,000 visits at community sites through its Division of Adolescent Medicine. Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is able to offer the optimum in multidisciplinary care, with more than 100 pediatric subspecialty services.
The Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is one of the largest pediatric hematology/oncology programs in the nation. Physician-scientists integrate their laboratory experience with their clinical expertise in an approach to medical problem solving that enables them to move effectively from "Bench to Bedside." Breakthroughs in the treatment of childhood cancer, many pioneered at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, offer children, teenagers and young adults the most advanced treatment available anywhere.
Since 1990, U.S. News & World Report and its panel of board-certified pediatricians have named Childrens Hospital Los Angeles one of the top pediatric facilities in the nation.
About Nautica:
Founded in 1983, Nautica(r) is a leading global lifestyle brand with products ranging from men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories to a complete home collection. Nautica(r) products are styled in timeless design and premium quality that enhance our consumer's energetic lifestyle yet recognize their desire for balance. In 2003, the Company was acquired by VF Corporation a world leader in branded apparel including jeanswear, sportswear, outdoor products and workwear. Its principal brands include Lee(r), Wrangler(r), John Varvatos(r), Jansport(r), Eastpak(r), The North Face(r), Vans(r), Napapijri(r), Kipling(r) and Reef(r). For additional information, please go to www.nautica.com.