The St Ives Biathlon returns this Saturday (28th June), the 27th anniversary of the event and the 67th anniversary of organisers St Ives Surf Life Saving Club.
An extremely popular event with locals and visitors alike, the Biathlon’s legacy dates back to a swim in St Ives harbour known as ‘The Sloop Slog’.
These days, open (17 to 39 years old), vet (40-49), super vet (50-59), and senior vet (60-plus) races see participants run from the slipway, to Carbis Bay beach swim back to the start, a total distance of about 2km. There is an option for team entries, with one person running and one swimming, following the same route. There are also novice and junior races over shorter distances.
The headline sponsor is Cornish Riviera Holidays, and there’s a pint and a pasty for all adult finishers, courtesy of The Sloop Inn and Cornish Bakehouse respectively. The organisers are grateful, too, to a whole host of other businesses who kindly support the event.
“Our club is extremely grateful to everyone that gets involved in helping to organise the Biathlon each year,” said Chris Simpson, chair of St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and the biathlon lead.
“From our committee and volunteers, to the wide range of other organisations and businesses that support us with assistance and gifts in kind. This helps us to keep costs down as much as possible, but there are still expenses for the event which we have to meet — and the businesses that sponsor the biathlon are vital to enable us to do this.”
Registration is from 3pm and the races start at:
- 6.30pm (junior)
- 7pm (novice)
- 7.30pm (main)
