Malibu Triathlon in jeopardy due to floods and an endangered fish

Renowned as much for the list of entertainment talent that has taken part as for it’s elite competitors and longevity, since 1986 the Malibu Triathlon has been one of the most high-profile triathlon events in the United States. Over the years big name stars like Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez, James Marsden, Matthew McConaughey and Zac Ephron have all competed in the event.

Super League Triathlon (SLT) bought the event a few years ago, and it’s slated to be part of the SLT Championship Series on Sept. 30.

The event might not happen this year, though, thanks to a combination of a flooded underpass, an endangered fish and issues around public notification, according to news reports.

CBS news reports that the 38th edition of the Malibu Triathlon is in jeopardy after the Malibu Planning Commission rejected a permit application to change the race route because its too late to meet a required 32-day public notice period.

Flooded underpass, endangered fish

Things started to go awry when heavy rains flooded the underpass the course follows from Zuma Beach. An endangered fish, the tidewater goby, is in the floodwater, so the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife won’t let organizers build a bridge over the water. That meant organizers had to come up with a different route, but when they submitted a new permit application, they were told they were too late to meet the 32 days of public notice required.

Race organizers have the opportunity to appeal the decision, which will be decided at a City Council meeting on Monday night.

“We are appealing that decision and are confident we will be able to hold the safe, enjoyable and inspiring event we all want while helping some of the most vulnerable in our society by raising vital funds for pediatric cancer research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,” race organizers wrote in a Facebook post yesterday. “We are so proud to have already contributed $18 million to CHLA over the years, and want this number to grow significantly still.”

We’ve reached out to Super League for an update on the status of the race, and will update this story if we hear back.