2023 Malibu Triathlon's Future Unclear After City Rejects Permit Appeal

MALIBU, CA — The question of whether the Malibu Triathlon will be held on Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 is set to be decided by the City Council on Sept. 25 after city officials earlier this week rejected organizers' most recent attempt to secure the permit necessary to hold the event.

The rejection of organizers' permit appeal at Monday's Planning Commission meeting is the latest installment in a recent conflict between organizers and city officials centered around a flooded underpass, an endangered fish and red tape.

Organizers on Wednesday filed an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision, which means the City Council on Sept. 25 will consider whether the race can go forward at the end of the month, city officials said in a statement.

The event's traditional racecourse utilizes the Busch Drive undercrossing at Zuma Beach, which has been flooded due to last winter's heavy rains. In the past, organizers have built temporary ramps over water accumulation. But that won't be allowed this year after the tidewater goby — protected under the Endangered Species Act — has made a habitat in the flooded underpass, organizers said.

Organizers reconfigured the route, but city officials said the application came too late to meet the required 32-day public notice.

Race officials appealed that permit rejection at the Planning Commission, which voted 2-2 for the appeal on Monday (one member was absent). That meant the appeal was rejected.

In a statement to Patch Tuesday, organizers said they're hopeful that the race will move forward at the conclusion of the appeals process:

"We are disappointed by the decision of the City of Malibu Planning Commission to deny a permit for the 38th Malibu Triathlon on a technicality. As we are in a legal process we cannot comment further at this time, but we are appealing the 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," organizers wrote.

Organizers are expecting over 5,000 athletes to participate in the annual swim-bike-run race, which is now in its 38th year.