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Biathlon

Ski racing with rifle marksmanship. Filter, sort and register.

Discipline Guide

Biathlon combines Nordic skate skiing with small-bore rifle marksmanship, where athletes ski a loop, then drop prone or standing to shoot five targets before skiing again, with missed targets adding penalty loops or time. The Kinetic Chronicle lists the full field, including 6 km and 7.5 km sprint biathlons, 10 km and 12.5 km pursuit and individual formats, and mass-start events. Typical distances span 6 km sprints (3 shooting stages), 10 km pursuits (4 stages) and 15-20 km individual events with a penalty loop of 150 m per missed shot. The directory includes USBA-sanctioned biathlons, regional club races, summer biathlon (running + shooting) and beginner-friendly events with loaner rifles. Filter by state, date or format to find your next biathlon and register directly with the organizer.

How does biathlon shooting work?

Athletes ski a loop, then shoot five rounds at five targets from either the prone or standing position. Prone targets are 45 mm across; standing targets are 115 mm. Each miss adds a 150 m penalty loop (in sprint and pursuit formats) or a one-minute time penalty (in the individual format).

Do I need my own rifle for a biathlon?

For most beginner and citizen biathlons, the organizer provides loaner rifles and ammunition, so you can try the sport before buying gear. Sanctioned USBA and higher-level races require your own biathlon rifle (.22 caliber) and a safe-handling certification. A safety certification is mandatory at every level.

Can I do a summer biathlon?

Yes. Summer biathlon replaces skiing with running (or roller skiing) and keeps the same shooting format, often on the same range as winter events. It is a popular off-season training tool and a beginner-friendly way to learn the marksmanship before adding the skiing.

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