Just before ringing in the new year, the Bales family of Wimberley traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to compete in the two-day U.S. National Pentathlon Championships. Of the five members who competed in the grueling event, all five placed in the top tier of their divisions. Returning home were two national champions, two national champion runnersup, and a third place winner in the Masters 40 + Division.
Readers may recall that in July 2024, the Bales family hiked the Grand Canyon, rim to rim, in 13.5 hours, with 9-yearold Elijah becoming, what is thought to be, the youngest hiker ever to complete the feat. Similarly, James Bales appeared in a 2026 Wimberley Parks and Rec Polar Bear Plunge and 5K photo earlier this month as winner of the 5K with a time of 19 minutes, 30 seconds. In third place was son Noah Bales, who took third place.
For the National Pentathlon Championship, the Bales, along with athletes from all over the country, tested their mettle in fencing, swimming, “obstacle” and a laser run that combines fast-paced intervals of running and laser pistol shooting.
In the fencing portion of the pentathlon, the athletes were required to compete with every other fencer for one minute or until they score a “hit” with an electronic épée. According to Olympic rules, a hit is scored when the tip of the épée, a blunted-end dueling sword, is pressed against an opponent’s body hard enough to trigger lights on a scoring machine. Simultaneous hits by both fencers means both of them score.
In the swimming portion, contestants swam 200 meters free-style, and in the obstacle course, which is known simply by the singular word “Obstacle,” athletes took on a 60 to 70 meter course with eight obstacles. Much like the American Ninja Warrior television show, the obstacles included rings, monkey bars, balance beams, steps and a big wheel challenge of large, suspended wheels that test upper body and gripping strengths.
For the finale event, the laser pistol run, competitors ran a total of 3.2 km in intervals, stopping to take aim with a laser pistol to hit five targets before beginning another segment. The sport tests endurance, self-control and precision.
Family members competing in Nationals were ten-year-old Elijah Bales, twelveyear old twins Micah and Noah, fifteenyear- old Jeremiah, and the Bales patriarch, James Bales. Thirteen-year-old Joshua did not compete, opting to pursue football and crosscountry in the Fall.
Competing in the Men’s U11 Division and scoring a gold medal was Elijah. Micah, competing in the Men’s U13 Division, also captured gold. His twin, Noah, was the national runnerup, earning silver. Jeremiah, competing in the U17 Division, was the national runner-up, also bringing home a silver medal. In the Masters 40plus division, James Bales placed third, securing bronze. Cheering their efforts was mother and wife Karrn Bales.
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD TWINS MICAH, LEFT, AND NOAH TAKE ON THE NINJASTYLE “OBSTACLE” CHALLENGE.
PHOTO BY KARRN BALES
