Pentathlon stars and Laser Runners gather online for #LaserHomeRun

Click here for more information about #LaserHomeRun.

Twenty of the world’s leading pentathletes have signed up to take part in the world’s first virtual Laser Run – which is shaping up to be a mass-participation event.

More than 800 people from 52 countries have registered for #LaserHomeRun, which begins on May 4 with the finals to be broadcast live on UIPM TV on May 7. Entire families have signed up to compete and the ages of entrants ranges from six to 83 – thanks to legendary Masters athlete Erik Pock (DEN).

The start list includes Olympic and world medallists such as Elodie Clouvel of France, Joseph Choong of Great Britain and Anastasiya Prokopenko of Belarus, as well as Youth Olympic Games champion Ahmed Elgendy of Egypt and a superstar from the past - Moscow 1980 Olympic champion Anatoly Starostin (RUS).

Elite athletes from Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland and Uzbekistan have also joined hundreds of Laser Run, Biathle and Triathle competitors from around the world for a concept that aims to unite the global UIPM Sports community during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

#LaserHomeRun is a new concept that enables participants of all ages to add focus to their home training regimes, keep their skills sharp and enjoy the thrill of online competition.

Laser Run is UIPM’s fastest-growing development sport and the easiest to organise – a point that the governing body hopes to underline by exploring the popularity of a mass-participation virtual gathering.

The format of #LaserHomeRun is simple – in each round entrants must complete a series of exercises before hitting five targets with a laser pistol in the fastest possible time. UIPM Technical Officials have been appointed to make sure entries are valid.

There are female and male categories across six age groups – from Under 11 to Masters 60+. Qualification rounds featuring up to 15 competitors are due to take place on May 4-5 with the finals following on May 7 – streamed live on UIPM TV.

UIPM Executive Board Member for Media, two-time Olympic medallist Andrejus Zadneprovskis, said: “The aim of #LaserHomeRun is to keep the global UIPM Sports community united, motivated and active during this difficult time in their lives.

“At a time when all UIPM Sports activity has been suspended, social media is playing an important role in enabling people to meet online, compare their home training activities with each other and have fun. We hope that #LaserHomeRun will be a nice extension of this.”