A popular annual Cornish event returned on Saturday as the St Ives Biathlon celebrated its 25th anniversary.

The event is organised by St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and this year was sponsored by Penwith College. 

More than 250 people entered across all age groups and categories, with returning multi-year winner Neil Eddy finishing the main ‘open’ race hand-in-hand with Connor Keeler as they shared the title. 

Annie Williams won the women’s open, with Edie Price and William Davies winning the female and male juniors, while Ruth Glover and Chris Crowle won women’s and men’s novice races.

David Green, Alison Browning, Glenn Eldridge and Jane Hushon won veteran age group titles.

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 60s 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. 

“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 two kilometres, before entering the water and swimming back to the harbour slipway for another two 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.