Pastor to go the distance in triathlon

GETTING IN SHAPE—The Rev. Andrew Mattick takes a breather between workouts as he prepares for the Malibu Triathlon this Sunday. Mattick is a longtime fan of the demanding sport. The Rev. Andrew Mattick of Malibu United Methodist Church will be competing in the Malibu Triathlon this Sun., Sept. 14.

At last year's event the pastor was shaking a purple tambourine, holding up a sign reading, "Malibu Methodist Loves the Tri" and cheering on the bike leg participants down at Zuma Beach.

Mattick was also a former halfmarathon "Team in Training" member. Inspired by the elite athletes, celebrities and other runners, Mattick wanted to participate, and he started training.

In April he lost weight from diet and exercise and received a used road bike. The members of Malibu United Methodist Church became his official "Team Rev. Big Dog" sponsors. They raised the funds for him to enter the charity/nonprofit category and train with Devo Brown, a Malibu Tri veteran and local trainer at Malibu Fitness.

Living in Malibu West, Mattick trained on the same beaches and roads that the race will be held on. The pastor's progress can be followed at his online training journal blog, teamrbd.blogspot.com.

Mattick has lost more than 60 pounds, trained to build his endurance and is looking forward to Sept. 14. His church fans will be out in force to cheer him on.

"I can promise I won't win my age group, or even the Clydesdale Division, as this will be my first 'Tri,'" the minister said. "But, I will probably be the only competitor riding up the block a hundred yards from Pacific Coast Highway to preach in my race gear and finishers' medal that morning."

The church will celebrate its first annual Triathlon Sunday by cheering on Mattick, then gathering for a worship service at 10:30 a.m. at 30128 Morning View Drive. Classic rock songs provided by The VBand will welcome the minister after the race.