A popular annual St Ives event returned on Saturday (17th June), as it celebrated its 25th year, with the results now in…
The St Ives Biathlon, sponsored by Penwith College and organised by St Ives Surf Life Saving Club – with the support of many local organisations and businesses – was enjoyed by hundreds of people at the weekend, both taking part and supporting.
Over 250 people entered across all age groups and categories, with returning multi-year winner Neil Eddy first over the Main ‘Open’ Race finish line hand-in-hand with Connor Keeler, who took the winner’s position together.
Annie Williams won the women’s Open, with Edie Price and William Davies winning the female and male Juniors; whilst Ruth Glover and Chris Crowle won women’s and men’s in the Novice Race.
The Vet Race (40yrs+) was won by David Green and Alison Browning;
whilst the Super Vet (50+yrs) was won by Glenn Eldridge and Jane Hushon.
The event also included Team Entries, where competitors buddied up, with one running and one swimming; with the ‘Open’ won by Alex Cooley and Abbi Stevens, and the Juniors won by Grace Everitt and Bethany Perkin.
New and returning participants travelled from as far a-field as Bristol to take part, with the most senior competitor aged 71; with 20 over 60’s taking part this year, the club are looking to introduce a new age category for 2024.
With entry fees, business sponsorship and donations/sales on the day being calculated, the event will be a significant fundraiser for St Ives Surf Life Saving Club – who rely on this flag-ship event for vital club funds each year.
The Biathlon is supported by a wide range of local organisations who donate services and goods to ensure that it is a highlight of the St Ives calendar for locals and visitors alike.
Chris Simpson, Chair of St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and Biathlon Event Lead said:
“Hundreds of people enjoyed this year’s Biathlon both in and out of the water. This is with huge thanks to many local organisations who support us in organising the event and keeping people safe whilst participating. We would like to thank everyone involved including 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, those who transported kit, Sunday school for use of their room, the Fisherman’s Lodge for the use of the lodges, Ocean Supplies for the bags, DM designs for designing our t- shirts, Mel Thomas for First Aid Cover, St Ives Signs for Banners, The Sloop for Korev Tokens, Cornish Bakehouse for pasty tokens, Carbis Bay Hotel for supplying a water station, Wind and Sea for printing our tshirts, and many local businesses for raffle prizes.
Chris continued: “Alongside the phenomenal support we receive in organising and hosting the event, we are also reliant on the generosity of local businesses who sponsor it and donate gifts in kind, so that we can meet growing costs, whilst also raising vital funds for our Club. We would like to thank all of our business sponsors – many of whom have supported us year-on-year.”
Participants ran through the streets of the town, starting from the Fishermen’s Lodge in the harbour, following the coast path towards Carbis Bay beach for approximately 2 kilometres, before entering the water and swimming back to the harbour slipway for another 2 kilometres; Juniors and Novices ran to Porthminster beach before swimming back.
Hundreds of spectators turned out in support, especially on the harbour slipway, where runs started and swims finished.
Full results can be viewed on St Ives Surf Life Saving Club’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stivessurflifesavingclub
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And what a great event it was.
A huge vote of thanks must go to all involved in putting the Biathlon on – there are so many you couldn’t hope to name them – thank you one & all.
Organisation, marshalling, goody bags, water cover ( I’ve never experienced so much support craft), finisher medals & T shirts, sponsor & volunteer support, RNLI / lifeguard cover – the list goes on & on – were all much appreciated- thank you.
This was my first ( & hopefully not last) St Ives Biathlon – I’d urge anyone reading to give it a go – there must be easier ways to a Cornish Pasty & a Korev Beer although none more so rewarding and worthwhile.
My apologies go to all the lifeguards & RNLI members who I kept waiting – embarrassed & sad to be last male finisher in the Open Race my only excuse being up against seasoned sea swimmers (many triathletes aren’t from a swim background) & being advised at body marking “you’re our oldest competitor”
Thanks again everyone
Danny Rogerson, Bolton le Sands, North Lancashire – Tri Age Group 70-74