On Sunday, April 1st, Miami Beach welcomed the Nautica South Beach Triathlon for the 5th year in a row. Athletes, corporate teams, paratriathletes, professional triathletes and famous faces including “The Today Show’s” Natalie Morales, “X-Men’s” James Marsden, “The Office’s” Paul Lieberstein and David Denman, “Cougartown’s” Josh Hopkins, “Pirates of the Caribbean’s” Greg Ellis, and “The Finder’s” Geoff Stults and Mercedes Masohn, “Burn Notice’s” Jeffrey Donovan, “ABC Family’s “Make It or Break It” Josie Loren, the star of the Emmy winning, “Wizards of Waverly Place” & the upcoming “Huckleberry Finn” Jake T. Austin, Carolina Panther’s running back DeAngelo Williams and WWE six-time world champion Dave Bautista were just some of the celebrities who participated in this year’s event.

Pop singer and songwriter JoJo, kicked-off the day’s events by performing the national anthem.

Over 3,000 participants came out to challenge the currents of the Atlantic Ocean and take to the streets of South Beach to raise money for pediatric cancer research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The International Distance Race, kicked off at 6:50 a.m. with a 1.5K ocean swim, followed by a 40k bike over Miami Beach’s causeways and a 10K run through the Art Deco District. At 7:40 a.m., participants in the Classic Distance Race hit the beach for a half-mile ocean swim, a 19-mile bike ride and finished with four-mile run.

Hundreds of spectators came out to support the triathletes and enjoy an activity filled morning that included a Fun Zone, Nautica Tot Trot and Kids Run. Comedian and actor, Bob Saget, wrapped up the day with an award ceremony as well as a $401,422.00 check presentation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.