Squamish's Station Square Mall will be turned into a biathlon stadium on Friday, Feb. 24, as the Callaghan Winter Sports Club (CWSC) presents a Mock Biathlon event.
Between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., local businesses and organizations will form teams of two, and will participate in a miniature biathlon race using the laser biathlon rifles from the 2010 Paralympic Games.
The event will be a relay, with each team member speed-walking three loops of a course, while taking two shooting bouts between the loops. A miniature penalty loop will be set up in the parking lot to complete the experience.
"This Mock Biathlon event is a great way for people to familiarize themselves with the sport of biathlon in a fun and social environment," said organizer Carolyn Grass. "The turnout for our recreational biathlon events has been great this year, and with the Mock Biathlon we hope to introduce even more people to this fun and exciting sport."
Registration is free, and is available until Wednesday (Feb. 22).
The event is being organized to promote the Stride and Glide Sports B.C. Biathlon Championships on March 2 to 4 at Whistler Olympic Park. In addition to the competitive categories, the championships will feature recreational race categories for everyone from complete novices to experienced biathletes.
"The B.C. Biathlon Championships brings out the best biathletes from all over our province and beyond, and is a great event to host as we continue to build the legacy of biathlon in Sea to Sky Country," said Clayton Whitman, CWSC president.
"Squamish proved its ability to host major international Nordic competitions during the Olympics with a great turnout of volunteers, and we are calling for volunteers from throughout the corridor to come out and help us demonstrate our continued ability to continue to host major events."
To register for the Mock Biathlon, or for information about volunteering for the B.C. Biathlon Championships, visit the CWSC website at www.callaghanwintersportsclub.com
