UIPM 2019 Global Laser Run City Tour: Teens show how it’s done in Lome (TOG)

As the Laser Run craze continues to spread across all continents, another African nation has embraced the urban sports phenomenon for the first time.

Togo held its first Global Laser Run City Tour in Lome on September 7, on the eve of the 2nd Pierre de Coubertin Pentathlon Day.

Heavy rain made life difficult both for organisers and participants, who came from clubs across the city to perform at the venue in the eastern suburb of Baguida.

The standard was particularly impressive in the Under 15 age group, where 13-year-olds Kodzo Gale and Ephoe Agbodji showed an excellent mastery of laser shooting.

The duo had already represented Togo at an international competition in Ouga (BUR) from August 15-18, as had Under 17 girls Afoefa Semanou and Ruth Djago.

The event was organised by the Togolese Federation of Modern Pentathlon (FTPM), and a spokesperson said: "We are pleased with the successful organization of this first UIPM Global Laser Run City Tour, which has allowed us to gain tremendous lessons for future organizations, including the second Tour, scheduled for December 28, 2019.”

The Global Laser Run City Tour was created in 2017 to provide an entry point to UIPM Sports for people of all ages in urban communities around the world.

Another 100 cities were selected in 2019 as hosts of the GLRCT or the Biathle-Triathle National Tour. The full calendar can be viewed at the UIPM website, where you can also find more information on UIPM’s various multi-discipline sports.

In September, the UIPM Laser Run World Championships was incorporated into the Pentathlon World Championships for the first time in Budapest (HUN), where Laser Run also featured as a showcase sport at the 1st World Urban Games.

In December, Laser Run and Triathle will both feature for the first time in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines.

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