Case study: France launches Biathlon Running to bring the sport to new communities

At the Biathlon 4 All Project Coordinators Meeting in Salzburg, Samuel Lopes, Head of Sport Development and Project Manager at the French Ski Federation (FFS), presented France's new Biathlon Running initiative as an innovative approach to making biathlon more accessible throughout the year.

Developed in response to the need for year-round activities, Biathlon Running combines the excitement of biathlon with the simplicity of running. The concept allows clubs to organise training and competitions on roads, grass or in urban parks, without the need for snow or dedicated skiing infrastructure. It is designed to attract participants of all ages while helping ski clubs diversify their activities and reach new audiences.

The French programme is built on two complementary pillars. The first focuses on regular club practice, encouraging year-round sessions supported by trained volunteer instructors and a new Biathlon Running Pass membership aimed at participants without a skiing background. The second pillar is a structured programme of events and competitions, including a National Tour, regional races and partner events organised together with sponsors.

Interest in the initiative has exceeded expectations. According to Lopes, around 40 ski clubs have already joined the programme, with the federation receiving four to six enquiries every day. The project has also proven largely self-funded, demonstrating its potential to become a sustainable addition to club activities.

The inaugural Biathlon Run National Tour features five events in 2026, beginning with the International Biathlon Day celebration in Rumilly on 30 May, followed by races in Orléans, Le Bessat, Dijon and Grenoble. Looking ahead, the French Ski Federation aims to expand the tour to ten stages by 2030, engage up to 100 clubs and establish 10,000 Biathlon Running memberships nationwide.

Lopes highlighted that the long-term success of the programme will depend on two key factors: training sufficient volunteers to deliver activities locally and ensuring clubs have access to their own laser rifle equipment. Together, these elements will enable clubs to organise regular, self-sustaining biathlon activities regardless of weather conditions.

See the full presentation on IBU Learning Suite.