Malibu Triathlon wins appeal to revise course after floods and an endangered fish almost forced cancelation

One of America’s oldest triathlons will celebrate its 38th running on the weekend after Malibu City Council voted to grant the race a last-minute permit to change the race route that had been denied last week. That means the Malibu Triathlon and the Super League Championship race will all be taking place this weekend. (Taylor Spivey is pictured above competing at last year’s race.)

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. The event has also been a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles – the event has already raised over $1 million for the hospital this year alone.

Super League Triathlon (SLT) bought the event a few years ago, and the SLT Championship Series event takes place on Sept. 30.

The event was in jeopardy of not taking place, though, thanks to a combination of a flooded underpass, an endangered fish and issues around public notification. The Malibu Planning Commission rejected a permit application to change the race route last week because it was too late to meet a required 32-day public notice period. When heavy rains flooded the underpass the course follows from Zuma Beach an endangered fish, the tidewater goby, was found 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.

They appealed that decision to City Council, who voted on Monday night to grant the permit.

“Malibu Triathlon would like to place on record its sincere gratitude to Malibu City Council for working with us to ensure the event will be a huge success,” race organizers posted on Facebook. “In addition, we are very proud to announce that we have already reached an incredible $1 million fundraising threshold for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and this is before we even get to the event weekend itself.”