St Ives Biathlon draws hundreds for 28th running

The harbourside slipway in St Ives was a wall of wetsuits and cheering crowds on Saturday evening, as hundreds of swimmers and runners took on one of the town’s best loved sporting traditions.

A milestone year on the harbour front

This was the 28th running of the St Ives Biathlon, organised by St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and sponsored this year by Cornish Riviera Holidays as headline sponsor. Around 250 people entered across the age groups and categories, with new and returning competitors travelling from Coventry, Surrey and Southampton, as well as further afield across the UK.

Immy Wood and Ross Keeler take the wins

Immy Wood crossed the line first in the Women’s Open, with Ross Keeler taking the win in the Men’s Open.

Four courses, one big test

The Open Race (17-39yrs), Vet Race (40-49yrs), Super Vet Race (50-59yrs) and Senior Vet Race (60yrs+) ran from the harbour slipway to Carbis Bay Beach and back, swimming the return leg, a course of around 2km combined. The Novice and Junior (12-16yrs) races covered a shorter route, running to the far end of Porthminster Beach before swimming back to the start, around 800m in total. Teams also entered, splitting the run and swim legs between two people.

A vital fundraiser for 68 years of lifesaving

Entry fees, sponsorship and money raised on the day are still being counted, but the Biathlon remains a significant fundraiser for St Ives Surf Life Saving Club, now in its 68th year and reliant on the event for a large share of its annual funds.

Chris Simpson, Chair of St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and Biathlon Co-Lead, said: “This year’s Biathlon has been fantastic. Hundreds of people took part and hundreds more supported them. We are extremely grateful to the many local people and organisations that have supported us once again in organising the event and keeping people safe whilst participating. Huge thanks go to SISLSC committee members, RNLI Lifeguards for their continued dedication and support late into a Saturday evening, RNLI inshore lifeboat crew, Club board paddlers and lifeguards, marshals, stall-holders, goody bag packers, kit transporters, the Salvation Army for use of their building, The Hub for our media desk, Carbis Bay Hotel for supplying a water station and many businesses for raffle prizes.”

Duncan Wilson, Treasurer for St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and Biathlon Co-Lead, said: “The atmosphere today has been amazing. So many people took part and came to support. As well as the day itself, our club has received huge support in the run up, not least of all the generosity of local businesses who sponsor the event and donate services in kind. This is vital for us to meet the growing costs of the event, whilst also raising vital funds for our Club. We would like to thank all of our business sponsors, many of whom have supported the Biathlon for many years, including our headline sponsor, Cornish Riviera Holidays. Andy and Matt have huge enthusiasm for our charity and event and we are grateful for their ongoing support.”

Backing from headline sponsor Cornish Riviera Holidays

Andy Dale, Co-Director of Cornish Riviera Holidays, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Cornish Riviera Holidays has been able to support the Biathlon for many years, getting even more involved this year as title sponsor. It is such an important event for St Ives and for St Ives Surf Lifesaving Club and we are proud to be part of it.”

Matt Nellyer, Co-Director of Cornish Riviera Holidays, added: “The Biathlon is always an exciting event for the town, drawing in participants and spectators. The atmosphere this year was fantastic with hundreds of supporters across the harbour front and lining the route. It has been a great event and we would like to say well done to St Ives Surf Lifesaving Club and everyone involved for organising such a successful event again this year.”

Full results across every category, from the Open races down to the Junior and Novice fields, are now online. For St Ives Surf Life Saving Club though, the number that matters most, the final total raised in the club’s 68th year, is still being added up.

📷Credit: Eventy Marketing