Herbalife Triathlon to Invade Venice This Weekend

Competitors and spectators Sunday for the 14th Annual Herbalife Triathlon Los Angeles, where participants will swim the race's first leg in Venice and bike from Venice Beach to downtown Los Angeles.

The event, which has helped raise more than $15 million in charitable funds for local organizations, is expected to draw around 2,500 competitors, said Jan Fambro, spokesperson.

Last year, 50-year-old Clyde Rich was the only officially registered Mar Vista resident to complete the race with a time of 3:07:13, finishing in 431st place, and 39-year-old Rachael Babcock was the first Venice resident to cross the finish line with a time of 2:35:23. Seven Venice residents completed the race.

More than 30 Olympians and 10 world champions have competed on the course during the past 13 years, along with more than 35,000 newbie, weekend warrior and serious triathletes from all 50 states, said Fambro. 

The race has been voted one of "10 Olympic Distance Triathlons to Try in 2013,"  a Southern California "Best Bet," the "Ultimate Multi-Sport Destination Triathlon," and the "Best Urban Race Among International Triathlons," she said.

Registration will be accepted through 5 p.m. Saturday. To learn more about the race and register, visit http://latriathlon.com/.