For every target missed, the archer must ski a 350 meter penalty circuit before leaving the target site. The first athlete to complete the course is the winner. A summer arcathlon event is a combination of target archery shooting and running, a challenging experience. The athlete is required to run a course and stop at prescribed points to shoot at fixed targets. The typical course is between 5 and 12 km.
Athletes make three shooting stops, shooting four arrows at each.
Bows are normally stored at the shooting range, but competitors have the option of carrying them. Targets are 16 centimeters in diameter and are positioned 18 meters from the shooter. These events combine the skills of determining distance to the target, determining what part of the target to hit and the actual shot. The majority of these events are outdoor, but several indoor tournaments exist. Most archers who compete in these events use a compound bow.