Entries are now open for this year’s returning St Ives Biathlon, St Ives Surf Life Saving Club’s flagship event, due to be held on the evening of 17th June.
St Ives Biathlon organisers and sponsors by the harbour
With more than 170 registrations already, pre-entries are coming in quickly, from as far afield as Southampton and Bristol. In the past, biathletes have travelled from as far as America and France, with many returning year after year. There will be newcomers, too, some, no doubt, tempted by the free pasty and beer that has become a famous reward!
In previous years, the biathlon’s most popular open/veterans’ race (for over-40-year-olds) has seen up to 250 participants run through the streets of the town. They start from the harbour, following the coast path towards Carbis Bay beach for approximately one and a half miles, before swimming back to the harbour slipway.
The event features two other categories, open to 250 participants each: the juniorrace (12-to-16 years old), running to Porthminster beach before swimming back; and the novice race (over-17-year-olds), following the same route. Each category is also open to team entries, with one person running and one swimming.
As well as pre-entries in the coming weeks, competitors can register to enter from 3pm on the day at the harbour slipway. But they are encouraged to make a pre-entry via the online form, which will guarantee them a commemorative event t-shirt and discounted entry price, reduced from £40 to £35 for the open/vets, £30 to £25 for the novices, £25 to £18 for juniors, and £25 to £20 for teams.
Ahead of the day, St Ives Surf Life Saving Club is putting practical event preparations in place, while welcoming a record number of 33 local business sponsors.
“Now entering its 25th year, our club is extremely proud of the St Ives Biathlon,” said Chris Simpson, chair of St Ives Surf Life Saving Club, and biathlon lead. Each year, it raises our profile, attracting new members, whilst securing much-needed funds. Each entrant pays a small entry fee, complemented by business sponsorship of the event.
“We have 33 businesses on board this year, which is a record number. We are delighted that so many previous year’s business sponsors have returned. It is with their generosity, along with the kind support of the townspeople, that the event can take place each year.”
As well as funds to support the club, business sponsors have some exciting treats for entrants, with goody bags soon to be filled with rewards for taking part, including:
- pint tokens from The Sloop;
- pasty tokens from Cornish Bakehouse
- medallions for all entries from Medalion Man;
- Sunday roast discount vouchers from Tregenna Castle;
- coastal activity books, sea towels, and Chilly’s bottles spread across the bags from Cornish Gems;
- pens from Duchy Plant Hire;
- discount vouchers for everyone, as well as one golden ticket worth £50 from Cornish Spliced;
- plus eight goggles from Fiski for spot prizes.
Chris said: “We are so grateful to the businesses supporting us this year, from our title sponsor Penwith College to our supporting sponsors Tegen Mor Fisheries Consultants Ltd, St Ives Signs, Aspects Holidays, Sloop, RRL, So St Ives, Greenwood Wilson, Hub St Ives, W J Winn Funeral Director, Ayr Holiday Park, PBWC Architects, Cornish Gems, Cornish Bakehouse, Tregenna Castle, Mermaid Restaurant, Luxury Coastal, A1 Cars, Porthmeor Beach Café, Symons Construction, Cornish Riviera Holidays, Harding Laity Estate Agents, Polmanter Touring Park, Duchy Plant Hire, Cohort Educational Trips, St Ives Tourism Association/BID, St Ives Boat Rides, Carbis Bay Hotel and Estate, Medalion Man, Fiski Goggles, DM Illustration & Design, Eventy Marketing and PR, and Cornish Spliced.
“We hope that, with their help, this year will be the biggest and most successful yet as we turn from a break due to Covid restrictions. We would like to thank everyone who provides support on the day itself, from lifeguards to stall holders. Without this support, we would not be able to hold our annual event, which is so vital for our charity.”
• Those interested in competing in the biathlon can register here.
