Held at VWK9’s world-class 320-acre canine training facility in Anniston, Alabama, The U.S. Canine Biathlon® was founded by our Race Director – Paul Hammond (the Mad Brit) not only for those who love the challenge of obstacle racing but their canine companions. This 4+ mile event features more than 40+ purpose-built obstacles over varied terrain including forest, sand, and water.
The U.S. Canine Biathlon® is open to all types of Handler-Canine teams including Civilian pets, Search & Rescue, Military working dogs, or Police Dog teams. In addition, the race is open to challengers and thrill seekers of all ages and experience levels. Scores will be determined not only by course time but also criteria based on the age of both the runner and the canine partner. The U.S. Canine Biathlon® is also open to individual entries who wish to complete without a canine partner or those canine teams who wish to take on the course as a group.
Serious competitors and serious group competitors will race on Saturday, May 18, 2019 with an awards ceremony starting around 6:30 PM CST in the main pavilion area.
Biathlon Racing will continue on Sunday, May 19, 2019 for competitors and groups that want to take on the challenge but are in it for the fun of it. Sunday Funday will include all of the same amenities as the Saturday racing (vendors, food trucks, beer truck, children’s bouncy house), and each racer will be timed, but their times will not be considered for top prizes.
Schedule & Entertainment
Friday, May 17th – We’ll kick off biathlon weekend with an early packet pickup accompanied by music on the nearby stage. Packet pickup is scheduled from 5:00 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST in the main Biathlon Pavilion area.
Saturday, May 18th – On Saturday morning, we’ll have packet pickup from 7:00 AM to 12:00 Noon followed by a full day of running. Our serious competitors will run on Saturday. Runners that run on Sunday will not be considered for top prizes. All day Saturday we’ll have the biathlon pavilion filled with vendor booths, music, and multiple food vendors. The Biathlon Awards Ceremony will be start at approximately 6:30 PM on Saturday, May 19, 2019. Saturday night will be capped off with a live band on the main stage.
Sunday, May 19th – Sunday is now called Sunday Funday! We encourage those runners and runners in groups to come out and have a fun time. Our competitive runners will run and receive awards on Saturday, May 18th, and Sunday’s racing will include those that are here for an adventure but are not necessarily in top-prize contention. The Sunday running will start around 8:45 AM and run until 12:00 PM noon CST. The Biathlon Pavilion area will be filled with multiple food vendors, live music, beer truck, and a children’s bouncy house.