Biathlon competition checklist: what to arrange and when
Organising a biathlon competition means coordinating registration, course safety, shooting facilities, timing and participant support in the right order. Start with the rules, venue and course, then confirm equipment, volunteers and starter groups before race day. The final week is for weather checks, participant information, printing lists and charging race clocks. On the day itself, leave enough time to mark the course, set up registration and catering, and brief the jury before competitors arrive.
The plan, step by step
Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.
Preparations
Draw up competition rules
2 people
Record the course
3 people
Mark shooting ranges
3 people
Send invitations
2 people
Open registration form
Confirm venue booking
Finalize equipment reservations
2 people
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Assign starter groups
2 people
Assign start numbers
2 people
Assign volunteers
2 people
Prepare jury briefing
2 people
Send participant information
Check the weather forecast
Do the shopping
3 people
Collect sports equipment
3 people
Print the starting lists
Sort bib numbers
2 people
Charging the race clocks
Chill drinks
2 people
Prepare soup and bread
3 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up the registration table
2 people
Set up catering point
3 people
Set out the course
6 people
Mark bends and crossings
4 people
Lay out shooting mats
4 people
Set up shooting targets
4 people
Mark off the safety zone
4 people
Securely set up rifles
2 people
Securely set out ammunition
2 people
Set up the first aid station
2 people
Test sound system
2 people
Check the lighting
2 people
Event
Conduct the jury briefing
3 people
Brief volunteers
4 people
Receive participants
3 people
Hand out race numbers
3 people
Check rifles
3 people
Give safety instructions
2 people
Handle the opening announcement
Guide the start groups
4 people
Record lap times
3 people
Record shooting results
4 people
Staff the course checkpoints
8 people
Serve drinks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve soup and bread
3 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Publish interim results
2 people
Register finishers
3 people
Check results
3 people
Prepare awards ceremony
2 people
Handle prize ceremony
3 people
Check out the last participants
2 people
Aftercare
Collect rifles and ammunition
3 people
Dismantle the shooting range safely
4 people
Remove course markers
5 people
Pack sports equipment
4 people
Dismantle tables and chairs
4 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clean the catering area
3 people
Collect waste
3 people
Clean the grounds
5 people
Dismantle the lighting and technical equipment
2 people
Post the results online
Thank participants
Return rented equipment
3 people
Store leftover stock
2 people
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Foldable tablesqty 10
- Folding chairsqty 80
- Registration desk
- Judges' tableqty 2
- Waste binsqty 8
- Coat racksqty 4
Sports equipment
- Cross-country ski setsqty 45
- Spare skisqty 8
- Cross-country ski polesqty 50
- Biathlon riflesqty 20
- Training gunsqty 4
- Shooting targetsqty 10
- Shooting matsqty 10
- Reserve target boardsqty 20
- Bib numbersqty 100
- Course tapeqty 12
- Route conesqty 80
- Direction arrowsqty 30
- Fencesqty 30
- Safety signsqty 12
- Rifle racksqty 4
- Game clocksqty 4
- Stopwatchesqty 8
- Whistlesqty 12
- Reflective vestsqty 20
- Spare batteriesqty 24
- Blank training ammunitionqty 500
- Competition ammunitionqty 2500
Equipment
- Laptopqty 2
- Printer
- Sound system
- Microphoneqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 6
- Charging stationsqty 3
- Walkie-talkiesqty 12
- Megaphone
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 150
- Soup bowlsqty 100
- Platesqty 100
- Cutlery setsqty 100
- Coffee cupsqty 80
- Thermos flasksqty 8
- Serving spoonsqty 6
- Soup ladlesqty 100
- Small bowlsqty 12
Lighting
- Work lightsqty 6
- LED string lightsqty 6
- Headlampsqty 20
Cleaning
- Mopsqty 4
- Bucketsqty 4
- Hand broomsqty 4
- Dustpan and brushqty 4
- Cleaning glovesqty 10
Catering
- Coolersqty 6
- Water dispensersqty 3
- Coffee machinesqty 3
- Soup kettlesqty 3
- Food warmersqty 4
- Groceries
First aid
- First aid kitsqty 3
- Thermal blanketsqty 20
- Cold packsqty 20
- Bandage suppliesqty 3
- Disposable glovesqty 100
Awards ceremony
- First-place medalqty 12
- Second place medalqty 12
- Third-place medalqty 12
- Start and finish ribbonsqty 6
Administration
- Printer paperqty 3
- Ballpoint pensqty 30
- Clipboardsqty 12
- Permanent markersqty 12
- Starting listsqty 20
- Wristbandsqty 150
Tools
- Snow shovelsqty 6
- Hammerqty 4
- Tent pegsqty 40
- Cable tiesqty 200
- Duct tapeqty 8
Tips
- Set the competition rules and record the course before opening registration. Participants need clear information about distances, shooting arrangements and timing before they sign up.
- Keep registration open long enough to collect dietary requirements and other practical details, then assign starter groups and start numbers only after the entry list is stable. Print a final starting list for the registration desk.
- Confirm the venue, equipment reservations and volunteer assignments at least 7 days before the competition. Include specific roles for registration, shooting-range supervision, course control, timing and catering.
- Check the weather forecast 48 hours before the start and inspect course tape, route cones, direction arrows, fences and safety signs. Prepare spare skis, poles, target boards and batteries so one damaged item does not stop a race.
- Set up tables, chairs, the registration desk and catering point before the jury briefing. Charge the race clocks, chill drinks, and prepare soup and bread early enough that volunteers are not serving while competitors are checking in.
Frequently asked questions
- How far in advance should I organise a biathlon competition?
- Start planning at least 8 to 12 weeks before the competition. Use the first weeks for rules, course recording, venue booking and equipment reservations, then open registration and assign volunteers.
- When should biathlon registration close?
- Close registration 7 to 10 days before race day if possible. That gives you time to process entries, collect dietary requirements, assign starter groups and print starting lists and bib numbers.
- When should I mark the biathlon course?
- Record the course in advance, but place course tape, cones, arrows, fences and safety signs during the final setup, usually 3 to 5 hours before the first start. Walk the full route once after marking it.
- How much time is needed for biathlon race-day setup?
- Allow at least 3 hours for setup, and 4 hours if the course or shooting ranges are unfamiliar. This covers registration, furniture, catering, rifle racks, targets, timing equipment, safety checks and the jury briefing.
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