If you’ve ever thought about trying a biathlon – running about three miles, with two “shooting” stops – you’ll find no friendlier atmosphere than the Nescopeck Hunting and Rifle Club, which is hosting an event Saturday, May 18. The PA Biathlon Club, now in its 24th season, is teaming with the Nescopeck Club to manage logistics.

All equipment and instruction will be provided, and beginners are welcome. Participants should be clad in running gear, and of course any other gear as required by weather conditions.

“Firearms are provided, although season competitors have their own custom rifles,” said Eric Stout, one of the organizers. “There is a mandatory course prior to the event for first times, which goes over the rules and especially stresses safety, and participants can try out the rifles before the competition starts.”

The running portion will total 5 kilometers, which is 3.1 miles.

“Running is the more important of the two parts of the event,” Stout explained. “But for every target missed there is a short penalty lap to be run.”

“That means that if there are two equally-timed runners, the runner with fewer misses will score higher,” he said.

Stout, now 67, doesn’t compete, but he’s one of the volunteers for the event. He’s the “go-between” between the Nescopeck club and Frank Gaval, the Events Lead. Even if you don’t want to compete, but want to check out the event, more volunteers are always needed, Stout said. The main volunteer need is to “tear down” following the event.

For more information call 570-788-4219, or email barb123@ptd.net. Additional information about upcoming events and the sport can be found at www.pabiathlon.com.

About the Nescopeck Hunting and Rifle Club

Founded on March 1, 1930, the Nescopeck Hunting and Rifle Club (NHRC) is an NRA affiliated shooting club located in Nescopeck, Pa. All its members are NRA members.

There are several shooting ranges at the Nescopeck Hunting and Rifle Club, including an indoor range for handguns, handgun caliber carbines, and .22 rifles, an outdoor defensive firearm range, a 250-yard rifle range with 12 shooting benches and a prone pad, and a trap range.

The club offers various shooting agendas and it sponsors several shooting events throughout the year. This includes a Gun Show in January of each year, a biathlon twice a year, trap shooting from April until October, handgun carry courses, and various youth programs including sponsoring the Berwick High School Rifle Team.

The club currently has 600 members and a waiting list of about 55 individuals; right now this represents an approximate two-year wait. Applications are reviewed in December of each year and the oldest are considered first. The application is on the club’s website (www.nescopecknhrc.com) and can be mailed to PO Box 1006, Berwick, PA 18603.