Sometimes Hollywood stars enjoy a real challenge...

 like a half-mile ocean swim, plus an 18-mile bike race, plus a four mile run!

The annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon is held each September at Zuma Beach in Malibu (usually on a on Sunday), and the beautiful weather attracts a wide range of Tinseltown celebrities and world-class athletes to this typical "Baywatch" setting - including a few cast members from "Baywatch."

This year, the 27th annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon was held on Sunday, November 10, 2013.

Last year, the Triathlon was held on September 16, 2012.

Celebs participating included Jon Cryer ("Two and a Half Men"), who was slightly injured in a bike accident, Rainn Wilson ('Dwight' in "The Office"), James Marsden ('Cyclops' in “X-Men”),  and Ellie Kemper ('Erin' in "The Office")

The 2011 Triathlon was held on September 18th. The classic race was won by Ryan Sutter (the 2003 selection of "The Bachelorette").  Other celebrity participants in events included Jon Cryer ("Two and a Half Men"), Rainn Wilson ('Dwight' on "The Office"), Jason Ritter ("The Event"),  Jeremy Sisto (the dad on "Suburgatory"), Daniela Ruah ('Kensi Blye' on "NCIS: Los Angeles"), Eddie Izzard, and others.

In 2010, participants this year included "Desperate Housewife" Teri Hatcher, Josh Hopkins (“Cougar Town”), James Marsden ('Cyclops' in “X-Men”), Julie Bowen ("Modern Family”), and Rachel Griffiths (“Brothers and Sisters”). It raised over $1 million for Pediatric Cancer Research Program at Childrens Hospital.

Celebrity participants in 2008 included Jennifer Lopez (who finished the triathalon in 2 hours and 23 minutes), with husband Marc Anthony on the beach, cheering her on), and actor Matthew McConaughey.

Participating celebs in 2007 included David Duchovny ("The X-Files"), Jon Cryer ("Two and a Half Men"). Eric Close ("Without a Trace"), William Russ ("Boy Meets World"), Ed Helms ("The Office"), Andy Lauer ("Caroline in the City") and a number of local TV news personalities.

In 2006, celeb participants included David Duchovny ("The X-Files"), Jon Cryer ("Two and a Half Men"), Felicity Huffman ("Desperate Housewives"), Mark-Paul Gosselaar ("NYPD Blue"), David Conrad ("Ghost Whisperer"), Andrew Baldwin, and L.A. Sheriff Lee Baca. (The full list of 2006 celebrity contestants can be found here.)

The event also includes a Celebrity Brunch on the beach (for those who contribute $100 or more to the Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.). Past celebrity attendees at the brunch include Robin Williams, Jennifer Garner, David Duchovny, Will Ferrell, Minnie Driver, David James Elliott, and others.

In 2005, celebs included Felicity Huffman & James Denton (of "Desperate Housewives"), Jon Cryer ("Two and a Half Men"), Mark-Paul Gosselaar ("NYPD Blue"), Tate Donovan ("The O.C."), David Duchovny ("The X-Files"), Andy Lauer ("Caroline in the City"), and many more.

Celebrity participants in 2004 included William H. Macy ("Fargo", "Cellular"), David Duchovny ("The X-Files"), Tate Donovan ("The OC"), Jon Cryer ("Two And A Half Men"), Emily Procter ("CSI:Miami"), Mark Paul Gosselaar ("NYPD Blue", "Saved By the Bell"), Kelli Williams ("Medical Investigation"), Ingo Rademacher ("General Hospital"), plus many local news personalities. And Deborah ('Debbie') Gibson kicked off the event by singing the National Anthem.

2003 celebrities included emcee Tom Arnold, William H. Macy ("Seabiscuit"), David James Elliott ("JAG"), Emily Proctor ("CSI: Miami"), James Hyde ("Passions"), Tate Donovan ("The OC"), Jon Cryer ("Two and Half Men"), David Chokachi ("Witchblade"), Eric Etebari ("2 Fast 2 Furious"), Felicity Huffman ("Out of Order") Michael Newman ("Baywatch"), Jose Solano ("Devil's Knight"), and the cast of ABC's "Threat Matrix", among others.

Celebs in 2002 included David James Elliott ("Jag"), Will Ferrell ("Saturday Night Live"), David Chokachi ("Witchblade"), Jon Cryer ("Pretty in Pink"), Hunter Ellis ("Survivor"), Jeff Kolodny ("Reba"), Wally Kurth ("General Hospital"), Andy Lauer ("Caroline in the City"), Anthony Montgomery ('Ensign Mayweather' on "Star Trek Enterprise"), Tahj Mowry ("Smart Guy"), Scott Patterson ("Gilmore Girls"), Jeff Probst ("Survivor"), Ingo Rademacher ("General Hospital"), Peter Reckell ("Days of Our Lives"), Charles Shaughnessy ("The Nanny"), Jose Solano ("Baywatch"), Kimberly Williams ("Father of the Bride") and Ian Ziering ("90210"), among others, plus many local TV news & radio personalities.

In 2001, the celebrity participants included defending champion Ingo Rademacher ('Jax' on "General Hospital"), Charles Shaughnessy ('Maxwell Sheffield ' on "The Nanny"), Shawn Colvin (Grammy Winner for “Sunny Came Home”), Ian Ziering ('Steve' on "Beverly Hills 90210"), Andy Lauer ('Charlie' on "Caroline in the City"), Real Andrews ('Marcus Taggert' on "Port Charles" & "General Hospital"), Jim Davidson ('T.C. Callaway ' on "Pacific Blue"), Jerry Manthey ("Survivor II"), Michael Malinin (from the GooGoo Dolls), Bob Iger (President of Disney), Mark Feuerstein ('Morgan' in "What Women Want"), Maxine Bahns ('Hope Fitzpatrick' in "She's the One"), Jeremy Garrett ('Russell' on "Jack and Jill"), Jack Noseworthy ("U571"), John C. McGinley ("The Animal"), Cameron Finley ("Hope Floats" and "Leave it to Beaver"), Patrick Warburton ("Seinfeld" and "The Tick"), Mitch Gaylord (Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast), Amanda Beard (Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer), Steve Hegg (Olympic Gold Medal Cyclist), Ted Stryker (MTV's "Who's the Band"), a host of local TV news anchors and others.

In 2000, the celebs included Frankie Muniz ("Malcolm in the Middle"), Alexandra Paul ('Stephanie' on "Baywatch"), Ingo Rademacher and Réal Andrews ("General Hospital"), Maxine Bahns ("She's the One"), David Naughton ("An American Werewolf in London"), Ingrid Walters ('Sheryl ' on "Baywatch"), José Solano ('Manny' on "Baywatch"), Patrick Warburton ('Puddy' on "Seinfeld"), Andy Lauer ('Charlie' on "Caroline in the City") and Scott Wolf (Bailey on "Party of Five"). Plus teams made up of band members of "The Wallflowers" and "Jesus Jones," and many others.The Celebrity Division awards ceremony was scheduled for 10:20 a.m.Patrick Warburton ('Puddy' on "Seinfeld"), Andy Lauer ('Charlie' on "Caroline in the City") and Scott Wolf (Bailey on "Party of Five"). Plus teams made up of band members of "The Wallflowers" and "Jesus Jones," and many others.The Celebrity Division awards ceremony was scheduled for 10:20 a.m.

In 1999, the Triathlon was held on Sunday, September 12, 1999. The race began at 7:15 a.m. Celebrity participants included many of the same celebs, as well as David Duchovny ("The X-Files"), Courtney Thorne-Smith ("Ally McBeal"), Scott Grimes ("Party of Five"), David Chokachi ("Baywatch"), Michael Ward (from the band, The Wallflowers), and many more.

The event supports the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation for children with AIDS. Over 1,500 athletes turned out, including many Hollywood celebs.

In 1998, the stars who entered the event included actor and comedian Robin Williams ("Patch Adams" and "What Dreams May Come"), Ingrid Walters ('Sheryl' on "Baywatch"), Jason Scheff (lead singer for Chicago), Ingo Rademacher ('Jax' on "General Hospital"), Jim Davidson ('Sgt. T.C. Callaway' on TV's "Pacific Blue'"), Tracy Scoggins ('Elizabeth Lochley' on "Babylon 5"), Sean Astin ("Rudy"), Mike Malinin (drummer for the Goo Goo Dolls), model Mark Vanderloo (model); and U.S. Olympic champions Steve Scott, Dave Johnson, Peter Vidmar, Amanda Beard, Mel Stewart and John Naber. (That year, the contest was won by José Solano.)

Crazyman Robin Williams was also a participant in the previous (1997) race; he biked 18 miles (and finished sixth). Supermodel Kim Alexis of Sports Illustrated fame placed second in the all-female division, and Miss USA Ali Landry finished second in the mixed division, just ahead of actress Alexandra Paul (who played 'Stephanie Holden' on "Baywatch"). Actor Jim Davidson finished first in his division, and "Entertainment Tonight" reporter Mark Steines finished fourth.

On the lighter side, the public family fun event also included a Beach Volleyball Tournament, a Sand Castle Contest, and a "Nautica Tot Trot" for kids.

The Nautica Malibu Triathlon raises money for a good cause: Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.

For more information, contact Adam Fell (Michael Epstein Sports Productions ) at (818) 707-8866, ext. 12, or Mary Ellen Barone (Nautica Public Relations) at (212) 841-8981, or Brian Lover at (212) 830-8244 (Nautica Public Relations.) Or email info@nauticamalibutri.com.

 Getting there: Zuma Beach is located near Point Dume, 3/4 miles north of Kanan Road on Pacific Coast Highway (at the north end of the Zuma Beach parking lot). it's about seven miles west of the Malibu Pier and the Malibu Colony.