Blog | Malibu Triathlon: Boom or Bust?

It's been a nerve racking two days after a horrendous summer of traffic nightmares.  Zuma Beach traffic was a mess thanks to the triathlon and hot, hot temperatures bringing everyone and their mothers to PCH.  Add to that the Friday night fires - we were one of the ways out of the closed 405 and Sepulveda mess.  And by then, the triathlon organizers had stolen our coveted parking spaces at Malibu Fitness, and I parked a long way away to reach my Hip Hop class on time.  It took me over an hour to get to Pacific Palisades Saturday, normally a quick ride to a friend’s house.

So this all begs the question...is it worth it to have this triathlon add a bigger traffic nightmare than we already have endangering an already dangerous highway?  Malibu doesn't need any more press than it already gets - good or bad - thanks to its name. Sure money goes to Children's Hospital, which is great. But, selfishly I must ask, what do we get out of it besides headaches?

What was most troubling were the number of sirens - this morning alone we counted about 20 one right after another for about two hours.  Were these resident calls for people in distress?  If not, what were they and did they rob residents of emergency assistance?  Who paid for rolling fire trcuks, ambulances and cops?  From my window I could see them going south towards the event.

Who paid for the phalanx of sheriffs? Did any city employees get overtime?  Or did they flee Malibu Friday and not see the horrors of the weekend? What did we get paid for the privilege of hosting this event so soon after summer crowds finally let up?

Seriously – do you think this event is a boom or bust for Malibu?