Competitors gathered in Lock Haven for the Biathlon, an event that marked the beginning of the 2026 United States Canoe Association National Championships. The Biathlon combines running and paddling, emphasizing competition, camaraderie, and tradition.
The Biathlon course requires participants to run approximately 1.5 miles on a loop, then return to the boat launch for an approximately three-mile paddle. Individuals can complete the entire course, or two-person teams can divide the running and paddling portions.
The event honors Tom Walton, who was known for encouraging participants to perform their best regardless of skill level or finishing position. Following Walton’s passing, Mike Herbert proposed bringing the event back in 2023 to commemorate him. Organizers Danny and Deb Glover, who also knew Walton, agreed, and the Biathlon was reinstated for the 2023 U.S.C.A. Nationals with Herbert as chairperson. Its success led to its inclusion again in 2026 as the kickoff for the National Championships.
The Biathlon is open to both experienced competitors and newcomers, with no U.S.C.A. membership or registration fee required, unlike the National Championships. Organizers stated that the event fosters connections among participants, including those not competing in the National Championships, while upholding Walton’s philosophy of encouraging everyone to strive for their best.
This year’s competition included men’s and women’s individual divisions, as well as men’s and mixed-team divisions. In the men’s individual competition, John Dunkelberger finished with a time of 34:21, followed by Alan McCracken at 37:18. Samantha Weaver completed the women’s individual event in 38:25.
For the men’s team division, runner Scott Manning and paddler Daniel Glover achieved the top time at 33:08. Runner Michael Josefik and paddler Luke Josefik finished at 42:35. The mixed-team division saw runner Alison Williams and paddler Mike Herbert finish in 30:22, while runner Waylon Winiarski and paddler Dawn McCracken recorded a time of 50:08.
The Biathlon was the initial event in a series of competitions leading up to the U.S.C.A. Nationals. Youth events and orienteering followed, with the national championship races held from August 7 through August 9.
Organizers expressed gratitude to the many volunteers, friends, family members, sponsors, and community partners who contributed to the event’s success. Volunteers assisted with various tasks throughout the week, including water safety, race operations, daily setup, and cleanup. Local businesses also supported the championships by donating supplies, items for competitor goodie bags, and a trailer that served as Race Headquarters. Woodward Township received special recognition for maintaining the boat launch area, public restrooms, and Riverview Park, which provided camping accommodations for participants. The Clinton County Recreation Advisory Committee was also thanked for submitting the bid to host the U.S.C.A. Nationals and for their ongoing support to the local organizing subcommittee during the planning and execution of the championships.
