Summer Biathlon

Summer Biathlon was invented by a group of traditional winter biathletes (cross country skiing and rifle shooting) as a way to continue their training during the summer months. This type of Summer Biathlon consists of three running stages separated by two shooting bouts. Runners are sent off in pairs at one minute intervals. The order of start seeding is determined by an individuals' 5k running time with similar paced runners starting in pairs to minimize congestion in the shooting area.

Once a runner starts, he or she will cover a distance of 1500 meters. Upon completion of this first leg, a runner walks to the shooting range and fires 5 shots in the prone position (lying down) with a .22 rifle at 5 knock down targets (a scorer will keep track of hits for each person). Runners then exit the range and run a 2000 meter leg. They then reenter the shooting range and fire 5 shots at the same targets, this time from the standing position. Runners then exit the range and run a final 1500 meter leg to the finish line. Your starting time will be deducted from your finishing time resulting in a net running time. For each target knocked down, a time deduction of 15 seconds for prone and 30 seconds for standing will be applied to the final time calculation.  Runners are then sorted by net time and awards are determined for overall and age group winners from the net time order.

Packet pick up will open at 7:45, a safety & instructional training video will begin at 8:00 - mandatory for first-time participants and a recommended refresher for repeat offenders, practice shooting will follow from 8:20 - 8:55 and the first pair of runners will begin the race at 9:00 sharp, subsequent pairs will start in one-minute intervals.

Rifles and ammunition are furnished. However, you may use your own rifle with the following restrictions: bolt action, iron sights and a 5 shot clip.

Join fellow runners on August 2, 2026 for the Summer Biathlon. It's a fantastic 5K featuring a flat and fast course in Goddard.