Young athletes from across Ontario compete in a test of accuracy and endurance in Regional Run and Shoot Competition
Borden, Ont. – From all around Ontario, 168 competitors from all six Ontario areas were putting their best foot forward this last weekend in a test that combines their running and marksmanship skills.
They were competing in the Regional Cadet Support Unit (RCSU) Central 2023-2024 Biathlon Championship Series Stage 3a Regional Run-and-Shoot Competition held 25 and 26 November, 2023, at Canadian Forces Base Borden.
“It was a good competition here,” said 13-year-old Corporal Kayleb Khober of 2804 Casselman Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Ottawa.
“I really like the shooting part, the running, well, it hurts, but you just push through it,” he said. “Honestly, overall, I think it is a really good sport.”
For the competition, the participants had to complete a series of running and then shooting with an air rifle. During Saturday’s competition, they had to run one kilometre, then shoot at five knockdown targets, run another kilometre and do the shoot a second time trying to knock down the five targets, then finish with a one kilometre run for a total of three kilometres.
Saturday’s competition was a team competition; each participant was paired with a partner from their area for a combined team score.
Sunday’s competition was a little more intense. It was an individual competition where the participants alternated running a one-kilometre lap and shooting after each lap, for a total run of five kilometres and four trips to the firing point to try and shoot the knockdown targets.
The event was centred around Dyte Hall.
“I love shooting, it’s one of my favourite things about the competition, the rush and the adrenaline you get,” said Kyrianna Jorgensen, 17, a Chief Warrant Officer with 2659 Royal Canadian Army Cadets, Brantford. She has competed several times at the regional level.
“With marksmanship, you really need to concentrate so you get consistency in your shooting. With this competition, though, you also have to contend with the running part,” she said. “You get your heart rate up; the adrenaline is rushing even more, and you have to be speedy. When you shoot and get all your targets down, it’s so much more rewarding.”
Jorgensen ended up in third place overall in Sunday’s individual competition.
“I went into this weekend not expecting too much, it is a big competition, I came into it wanting to do the best I could,” said 18-year-old Master Warrant Officer Alan Boudinov of 2799 Queen’s York Rangers Army Cadet Corps Royal Canadian Army Cadets, Aurora. “No matter the result it is always a rewarding experience and a chance to learn a lot.”
Event OPI Captain Phil Lusk was happy with the outcome of the event.
“What an amazing weekend we’ve had,” he said when addressing the cadets during the awards parade Sunday. “We need to make sure we take a moment to thank the support staff who helped to make this a successful event.”
The competitors responded in a round of thunderous applause.
The Cadet Program is open to all youth between the ages of 12-18 years old and develops confident, self-sufficient leaders who form lasting friendships and are engaged in their communities while promoting physical fitness, healthy living and fostering an interest in the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces. If you are ready for the challenge, visit www.canada.ca/join-cadets.
By: OCdt. J.T. Lewis, Unit Public Affairs Representative
