SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah –
PRESS RELEASE 24-007, Feb. 15, 2024
Contact: Ileen Kennedy (801) 716-9261
For Immediate Release
Utah to host 50-year anniversary of the Chief National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships at Soldier Hollow
SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah – The Utah National Guard is proud to host the 50-year anniversary of the Chief, National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championship at Utah’s own Soldier Hollow from Feb. 17–21, 2024. More than 200 National Guard members from 24 different states are planned to compete in the national week-long championship.
“Utah is excited to host the 50-year anniversary of the National Guard managing the biathlon mission of the U.S. Army, it will be held at the site of the 2002 and hopefully the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. It is our goal to provide these athletes with a world-class experience,” said 1st Sgt. Shawn Robison, Utah National Guard Soldier and the Chief of Competition for the event.
At this year’s competition, Duncan Douglas, from the Utah National Guard and a former Olympian is scheduled to compete.
Biathlon races combine cross-country skiing and shooting, where competitors must demonstrate endurance and marksmanship. The biathlon is a tremendous test to service members in the commonly known military skills of shoot, move, and communicate.
Following the opening ceremony occurring at the Scott Lundell Readiness Center at Camp Williams, Utah, on Friday, Feb. 16, the races kick off at Soldier Hollow with the individual races on Saturday and Sunday. Then team events will be conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday. Races are held on each day starting at 10 a.m., weather permitting, and run for approximately three hours.
The sprint race is first in the lineup on Feb. 17, which is a 10-kilometer race for men and seven-and-a-half-kilometer race for women, consisting of both prone and standing shooting.
The pursuit race is twelve-and-a-half kilometers for men and 10 kilometers for women, with competitors shooting prone and standing twice and will be held on Feb. 18.
Events then shift to group racing, with the relay event Feb. 20 where men and women teams compete, with each competitor completing a leg of seven-and-a-half and six kilometers respectively, combined with shooting prone or standing.
Finally, the races culminate with the patrol race on Feb. 21. In this event the team members must stay within 15 seconds of their teammates while completing the 15-kilometer race. Following each loop, a single member shoots on behalf of the team.
On Feb. 21, an awards and closing ceremony is scheduled to occur at 4 p.m. to recognize the athletes’ achievements concluding the 50th anniversary competition. The ceremony will be held at Camp Williams once again in the Scott Lundell Readiness Center.
These events are open to the public with free admission. Come support service members from across the nation as they compete in the national-level biathlon championships.
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Media Notes: Media are invited to this event for additional questions contact Ileen Kennedy at 801-716-9261 (text) or email at ng.utngpao@army.mil.
Race times may vary each day dependent upon weather and other factors. Service members and leadership are available for interview upon request.
Photos and video will be posted on google docs at the following link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jO3ODDBINoD3xlDMJuvbtWEM04Nt47zM?usp=sharing