Sprint Biathlon

[montster]

I ran a sprint biathlon at a scout camp out this past weekend. Scouts really liked it and it was a lot of fun for adults and youth. Offering up details and some suggestions of someone else wants to bring it to a youth program.

Event combined two 500 yards runs with two strings of shooting. First string was standing and the second was prone. Distance 10 meters.

We ran this event in a remote area with no range facilities. Using daisy 853 air rifles and tall cardboard boxes as backers. Far from fancy but this worked well. No running on the range. Air rifles stayed on the range, in the shooting lanes on their shooting mat.

8 competitors per heat. Scheduled on the half hour. Here is the sequence of events for each heat.

Welcome and short safety briefing on rules etc.
Marksmanship basics (broad range of skills in this group)
Explanation of the event, sequence of run/shoot/run/shoot.
5 minute practice with air rifle on a separate sighter target.
2 minute preparation.
Heat mass start. 500 meter run (out and back).
Back to range Shoot 5 shots standing.
Run 500 meters. Same course out and back.
Shoot 5 shots prone. Stand up and announce your name to timer!

Target choice was 10 meter pistol as we have a wide range of skills.
Air riles. We have only the 853's so all were encouraged to cock the lever if they could. If they needed assistance it was provided by and adult or older scout. Everyone loaded on their own. Methods of safe cocking was demonstrated for both positions. All competitors walk on the range.

Scoring. We used the elapsed time from start to finish and added penalty time based upon target score. Perfect shooting would have been 100 points. A score of 75 out of 100 resulted in a 25 second penalty.

For this group which ranged from 11 to 17 in age and from beginner shooter to average jr. ROTC competitor this worked out pretty well. Scouts asked that next time they shoot, run, shoot, run and shoot doing 3 position or increase shooting to 10 shot string.

If the group is more experienced in shooting a smaller target choice may be needed.

It was fun. Passing our experience along as something to consider in your youth program.