Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 16, 1994 TAG: 9407160074
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
There's also a summer version of the biathlon, and growing numbers of Americans are showing interest in the sport, which is being staged in the Commonwealth Games of Virginia for the first time.
"It's gotten probably the No. 1 response we've had," Bob Tully, one of the shooting coordinators, said Friday. "We considered it last year, but we didn't have the time to put it together. At the moment, we've got 17 competitors, which isn't too bad."
The participants will run approximately one mile, then shoot five rounds with a rifle from a prone position. Each time they hit one of the 3 5/8-inch metal plates, 15 seconds will be deducted from their time.
After another one-mile loop, the runners will shoot another five rounds from a standing position, this time with a 30-second deduction for each hit. One more one-mile loop concludes the event.
"We've opened up a new market of people," Tully said. "We've got a lot of shooters out there, but we also have a lot of runners. This is an opportunity to combine two outdoor activities, which gives it so much appeal.
"To a runner, running so many laps and so many miles can be grueling mentally. This adds a little diversity and a little excitement. After you've run a mile, to stand there and control your natural reflexes of breathing heavy and heart pounding while holding a rifle steady are sort of diametrically opposed."
Summer biathlon is affiliated with the United States Biathlon Association, the governing body for winter biathlon, and has offices at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. There were summer biathlons in 40 states and Canada last year. This is believed to be the first competition in Virginia.
"Our goal is to be in the Olympics," Kyle Woodlief, director of summer biathlon, said Friday. "First, we've got to get on board with the Goodwill Games and the Pan-American Games and the Olympic Sports Festival."
The United States will send a delegation to the first European summer biathlon championship later this year, although summer biathlon was a concept developed in this country.
"Summer biathlon originated in the U.S. in 1987 as a one-time promotion in Memphis, Tenn.," Woodlief said.
Tully was at a National Shooting Sports Foundation annual meeting when the summer biathlon concept was presented and thought it was an event that might be suitable for the Commonwealth Games. After waiting to see if the sport got off the ground, he felt this was the best time to introduce it.
"Personally, I feel this will be a longtime ally of state games," said Tully, noting that Marlin Firearms and CCI Ammunition have furnished all necessary equipment. "It's a fantastic summer activity."
The competition, which starts at 10:30 a.m., will be preceded by a clinic at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club. Participants will be sent off in rotations of two.
"The course of fire is relatively easy," Tully said. "It's a nice introduction to shooting. I've had the course reviewed by an avid runner, a member of one of our local groups, and he said it's not that difficult."
Statistics prepared by the national office show that 80 percent of summer biathletes began as runners, and 20 percent were shooters. Tully said that several of Sunday's entrants are beginners.
In an effort to stimulate interest in the sport, Tully has accepted entries from outside Virginia, although those participants will not be eligible for medals.
"I can't see closing things off at the borders," Tully said. "With walk-up entries, I could see us having as many as 25 entries. I anticipate next year, with a little more advance time, we might top 40."
by CNB