ORGANISERS of the St Ives Biathlon have made a record start to organising next year’s event.

St Ives Surf Life Saving Club has three key elements in place for the popular event, which is an annual highlight in the Cornish calendar.

It has announced the St Ives Biathlon will be held on Saturday, June 28 and there will be an addition of a brand new category, the senior vets, as a result of the over sixties age group seeing a significant increase for several consecutive years.

The club has also secured its 2025 headline sponsor, which will be Cornish Riviera Holidays.

With an online registration and payment system to streamline entries trialled in 2024, organisers intend to keep the digital system in place, which is now being updated for 2025 in order to open registrations to the public as soon as possible.

Chris Simpson, the chair of St Ives Surf Life Saving Club, said: “This is the earliest we have ever been able to announce the date of the next Biathlon, which usually happens around March proceeding the event, along with the exciting news of having our headline sponsor in place with thanks to Cornish Riviera Holidays, plus an expansion of our categories. We hope to have online entries up and running soon, enabling more people to take part than ever before, raising much needed funds for the club.”

Duncan Wilson, treasurer for St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and biathlon organiser, added: “The St Ives Biathlon is a highlight for many – from those who enter year-on-year through to people who have set themselves a challenge to complete it just once.

“There is an amazing atmosphere of camaraderie amongst entrants and a huge crowd of supporters line the route through the harbour and coast path every year.

“It is with thanks to Cornish Riviera Holidays and our event volunteers that we have been able to start organising things earlier than ever for 2025 and we hope that will be reflected on Biathlon day with record numbers of people taking part and watching.”

Andy Dale, co-director of Cornish Riviera Holidays said: “Cornish Riviera Holidays is extremely proud to be headline sponsors for the 2025 Biathlon. We have been a supporting sponsor of the event for a number of years and are proud to be associated with the other businesses involved, supporting the town and raising funds for St Ives Surf Lifesaving Club.

“We are excited about the pace at which things are already developing for 2025. We would like to thank St Ives Surf Life Saving Club for allowing us to be headline sponsors for the coming year and we look forward to working together as the event unfolds.”

Matt Nellyer, the co-director of Cornish Riviera Holidays added: “The Biathlon involves the whole St Ives Community and is a key fundraiser and awareness event for St Ives Surf Life Saving Club. The club trains the lifeguards and lifesavers of the future, helping to keep both locals and visitors safe in the water. As a local business that puts community at the heart of everything we do, we could not be prouder to be key sponsors for the upcoming event.”

2025 marks the event’s 27th year for the Biathlon and the 67th anniversary of St Ives Surf Life Saving Club, with its flagship event expected to draw competitors locally and from all over the British Isles, plus international entries, across the different categories.