Global Laser-Run City Tour 2018: Past and future come together in Perpignan (FRA)

Powered by the values of Olympism in a historic setting, a glimpse of the future was brought to Perpignan as the city took its turn in hosting the 2018 UIPM Global Laser-Run City Tour.

On April 6, 360 pupils from 13 schools tried their hand at Laser-Run for the first time before the GLRCT competition took place on April 7.

With age groups spanning from Under 11 to Masters, all competing at a high level, 230 athletes from the areas of southern Catalonia, Toulouse and Palmiers ran and shot in the majestic setting of the Palace of the Kings of Mallorca.

A number of qualifying places were secured at the 2018 French Laser-Run Championships, which will also take place in Perpignan in June under the stewardship of the Perpignan la Catalane Modern Pentathlon Club (PMPM), which organised the GLRCT.

Christian Roudaut, technical director of the French Modern Pentathlon Federation (FFPM) and Chair of the UIPM Coaches Committee, said: “The supporting event on April 6 was a reminder of the values of Olympism, that sport is not limited to podiums and records but instead builds bridges between cultures.

“On April 7, the logistics of the Global Laser-Run City Tour competition were expertly supervised by the PMPC and the masterful hand of the club coach, Emmanuel Clergeau.

“I want to say a big thank you to the local government in Pyrenees Orientales and its President, Hermeline Malherbe, as well as the staff of the Palace of the Kings of Mallorca whose friendly and efficient management enabled a remarkable competition to take place.”

The weekend was marked by a #WhiteCard demonstration as participants joined in celebrating International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which is part of the Peace And Sport movement founded by Joel Bouzou, FFPM President and UIPM Vice-President.

The UIPM Global Laser-Run City Tour was created in 2017 to deliver an exciting, dynamic and fun competition to participants of all ages and offer them an entry point to UIPM Sports.

The Global LRCT took place in parks, stadiums and iconic urban venues in 60 cities around the world in 2017, with more than 15,000 participants. There are about 100 events scheduled in 2018.