By Karin Al-Hardan, Executive Director, Malibu Education Foundation
You don’t have to be a runner. You just have to show up.
This past weekend, Malibu Moves returned to Zuma Beach for another beautiful two days on the coast, and Malibu Education Foundation was there, not just as a charity partner, but as a part of the event itself.
This year, our students ran it with us.
Malibu High School students Giselle Godbille and Lily Folkerts served as Malibu Education Foundation student ambassadors, working alongside the Malibu Moves team on event planning, operations, leadership, and community building. They didn’t just attend. They showed up as contributors, learning what it takes to bring a community event to life.
This is a model we are building at Malibu Education Foundation: connecting students to real-world experience right here in Malibu, through the programs and events we run together. Our community service liaison, funded by Malibu Education Foundation, makes these opportunities possible.
Runners of all ages and levels came out for a spectacular weekend on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world. And more than a few Malibu parents crossed the finish line first in their age group.
A special shout out to the Kerner family, who were once again the top fundraisers for Malibu Education Foundation at Malibu Moves. Thank you for your ongoing support and for showing up for Malibu schools year after year.
Three years in.
MEF first partnered with Malibu Moves in October 2024. The alignment was immediate: Malibu Moves draws the whole community together, runners and walkers, families and longtime residents, people who grew up here and people who found their way here. That’s the audience MEF is built to serve, and the spirit MEF is trying to build on.
The 2024 race raised $22,050 for MEF. The 2025 race raised $30,000, and included support for fire relief alongside local education, because that year, MEF and Malibu Moves weren’t just running together. They were recovering together.
This year, we went further still.
Every mile run at Malibu Moves is a mile run for Malibu’s students. For the instructional aides in the classroom. For the academic support that keeps every student moving forward. For a community that keeps showing up, even when the course is harder than expected.
We’ll see you at the start line next year.
Malibu Education Foundation supports staff and programs across all four Malibu public schools. To learn more or donate, visit malibueducationfoundation.org.