Camborne Athlete Qualifies for World and European Triathlon Championships

A Camborne athlete who first attempted a triathlon at thirteen is set to take on the world stage once again after qualifying for both the World and European Triathlon Championships in 2025.

From teenage struggle to representing Team GB

Steve Farnell entered his first triathlon as a young teenager. He enjoyed the cycling, struggled with the swim and dropped out during the run, assuming it would be his last attempt.

More than thirty years later, in 2019, Steve entered his second event at St Ives Leisure Centre after improving his swimming through the local lifesaving club. This time he finished and enjoyed it so much he went on to complete the rest of the Cornish series.

Now 54, Steve represents Team GB in his age group and has once again secured his place at next year’s championships.

📷Steve Farnell in action

Battling long Covid and major injuries

It hasn’t all been straightforward for the husband and dad from Camborne.

“I went down with long Covid in 2020 and was so ill, I couldn’t walk upstairs without being out of breath,” he said. “It took six months for me to be able to start gently exercising first of all walking around the block once, then twice, and gradually building myself back up from there.”

By 2021, Steve was competing again and went on to win the Cornish triathlon series in his age group, earning his place as a Team GB athlete.

His progress continued into 2022 where he finished eleventh out of 68 competitors in the Montreal World Championships. A year later, disaster struck in Hamburg where he crashed into safety barriers, snapping his bike frame in three places and suffering a broken nose and collarbone, bruised ribs and multiple cuts.

“Recovering after long Covid helped my mindset,” said Steve. “I knew I’d get back to training once my injuries healed.”

Despite breaking his collarbone for a second time during another bike crash at this year’s world championships in Spain, he remains determined to push on.

📷Steve Farnell in action

Support from the GLL Sport Foundation

Steve is one of Cornwall’s GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) athletes, giving him free access to any of the 240 Better sports and leisure facilities across the UK. He trains regularly at Helston Sports Centre where fellow GSF athlete Matt Trewhella coaches his swimming.

“Swimming has always been something I’ve had to work hard at, and Matt’s expertise is really helping,” he said. “Being one of Cornwall’s GSF athletes has been a game-changer and I’m very grateful for all the support GLL provides.”

Looking ahead, Steve said: “I’ll be competing in the 55 to 59 triathlon age group in 2026 something my thirteen-year-old self would never have considered possible.

“It’s a hobby that has broadened my horizons, normalised crazy and keeps me fit.

“As you can tell, I’m hooked.”

GSF support in Cornwall

In 2025, 144 Cornwall-based athletes received GSF support worth £92,150. They represented 23 sports, with 72 percent receiving no other central funding. More than half were under 21, 27 percent under 16 and 8 percent live with disabilities.

Applications for the 2026 GSF awards open on 20th December. More information is available at the GLL Sport Foundation website: https://www.gllsportfoundation.org/

📷Steve Farnell in action