Global Laser-Run City Tour: Modena brings Italy to the party

Italy, one of the top-performing nations on the Modern Pentathlon circuit in recent years, has joined the rapidly-growing Laser-Run community after hosting its first Global Laser-Run City Tour.

The city of Modena became the first of three GLRCT hosts in Italy in 2018 when it staged a mass-participation competition in the central Piazza Roma.

There was a try-out opportunity on the evening of May 19, coinciding with European Museum Night, with first-time participants taking part at a number of venues across the city until 1am.

The following day, May 20, saw the overall number of participants stretch to more than 500 as the official competition took place at the venue, in front of the iconic Palazzo Ducale in the centre of Modena.

Simone Cotura, Italian Modern Pentathlon Federation (FIPM) counsellor, said: “We are very happy with this first GLRCT in Italy, which can be already considered a success.

“This is a great opportunity to promote and give more visibility to our sport. It is an incredible chance for new people sampling the sport and we had more than 180 new licences issued for the event.

Laser-Run was launched in 2015 with the first World Championships taking place in Perpignan (FRA).

The Global Laser-Run City Tour 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.