Laser Run Spotlight: From Kuwait to Lithuania, around the world in 16 amazing days

A hectic three months at the elite level of Modern Pentathlon has been mirrored all the way down the development pipeline, with the Global Laser Run City Tour continuing to expand into new territories and communities across the world.

Kuwait became the latest nation to host its first event while Lithuania, a year after embracing GLRCT for the first time, played host to three successful tours already in 2023. Here’s the lowdown on 16 of those amazing days …

 

MARCH

Kuwait City (KUW)

· Thursday March 9

· Kuwaiti Olympic Committee Stadium

· 270 participants

Local Organizing Committee representative: “The Kuwaiti Modern Pentathlon Committee has hosted its first Global Laser Run City Tour thanks to great co-operation from UIPM. The 270 athletes ranged in 10 different age groups from Under 9 all the way up to Masters 50+.

“After the competition, Kuwaiti Olympic Committee Executive Director Mr Mohammad Saeed Al-Khalfan and KMPC President, Mr Fawaz Aljassar, crowned the winners on the Olympic Committee stage.”

 

Alexandria (EGY)

· Saturday March 18

· Fleet Sporting Club

· More than 400 participants

Head of the local competitions committee, Mr Shady: “The Fleet Club is a well-known sport club within the Egyptian Armed Forces. The best thing in this club is that the swimming pool is very close to the running course which is very good for the watching audience.

“The club's mission is community participation and giving all young people the opportunity to practice sports. Over 15 clubs from across the country gathered more than 400 male and female athletes from Under 9 to Masters 60+ to show off their Laser Run prowess.

“One of the most important features of this competition is that it was filmed and broadcast live on the federation Facebook page, with more than four cameras placed in a different place all over the stadium! We received very positive feedback from all of the sponsors and followers.”

Tashkent (UZB)

· Wednesday March 22

· Eco Park

· 300 participants

LOC spokesperson: “Competitions were held in the most natural place in the city - Eco Park. The age of the 300 participants ranged from seven to 60 years old. After the race, a lunch was organised at which everyone was given pizza, water and drinks.

“At the event, many people got to know our sport and began to show interest. What was also important for the popularisation of the Modern Pentathlon in Uzbekistan was the coverage of events on local television and media.”

 

APRIL

Tbilisi (GEO)

· Saturday April 22

· Tbilisi Olympic Village Stadium

· Around 100 participants

LOC official Gaga Khijakadze: “Up to 100 young athletes from across the country participated in the event coming from cities including Sachkhere, Tchiatura, Gori, Rustavi and Tbilisi.

“It's always a pleasure to see how young athletes are competing with each other to achieve their goals — standing on the podium. I'm glad that Georgia is part of these memorable events since 2017.”

Siauliai (LTU)

· Sunday April 23

· Siauliai Stadium

· 190 participants

First-time Laser Runner: “It was great. I didn't expect such adrenaline. I may have underestimated the competition, but now I will know how to prepare for it next time!”

Men’s Under 17 winner Danielius Jodokas: “This time I knew I would win, that was my goal. I am very happy that I was able to implement my plan. Today I can be proud of myself.”

 

Men's 60+ winner Jevgenijus Kaunietis: “I have been doing sports all my life, I love running. Therefore, I decided to accept the challenge and try it in my competition. I will definitely participate in the next stages as well.”

 

Banha City (EGY)

· Wednesday April 28

· Banha City Club Stadium

· Over 320 participants

LOC spokesperson: “City Clubs are the first smart sports, social and entertainment clubs in 15 Egyptian cities. City Club seeks to develop the talents of their children in Modern Pentathlon sports, for preparing athletes for the Egyptian team, and achieving championships and medals.

“Over 27 clubs from across the country gathered in Banha City Club and over 320 male and female athletes, from nine years to 60+, to show off their Laser Run prowess with competitions.

“Para athletes joined the competition as they are considered one of the most important parts of our sports community and we are looking forward to introducing some talented Para-athletes into the Modern Pentathlon community.”

 

George (RSA)

· Thursday April 29

· Glenwood House School

· 105 participants

Johan Haasbroek, Eden Modern Pentathlon Association Chairman: “Glenwood House School in George, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, lies about four hours to the east of Cape Town and immediately inland from the Indian Ocean.

“The participating athletes came together from all over the Western Cape with excitement. This world class event featured athletes such as the 2022 U13 Laser Run World Champion Tatiana Thomatos who was up against local favourite Dune Haasbroek in the U15 race, with Tatiana talking gold. Other featured athletes who also won gold were Pieter Schoeman (U13), Japie Grove (Masters 40+), Johan Windt (Masters 70+) and Wanru Haasbroek (U11).

“Our aim here in Eden is to produce world class athletes and to be competitive in every age category at the World Championships.”

 

MAY

Kaunas (LTU)

· Saturday May 6

· Kaunas Stadium

· 208 participants

Women's winner Ieva Zelvyte, national OCR champion: “It's fun! Modern Pentathlon has given away my youth, and now, I think, is the best time to return. So I'm happy to be here again.”

Men's U19 winner Linas Lardongas: “Today was definitely not easy. And the weather conditions were debilitating. Such a hot day and such a hard run. However, I managed to be the fastest today. I am very happy.”

 

Nelspruit (RSA)

· Sunday May 7

· Mankele outdoor adventure facility

· About 80 participants

Johan Matthysen, Mpumalanga Modern Pentathlon Association Chair: “The Mpumalanga Modern Pentathlon Association hosted its first GLRCT in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. The event was hosted at Mankele, an outdoor adventure facility at the foot of the Drakensberg escarpment, with beautiful surroundings.

“With a total of 81 entries from U9 to Masters, it was an exciting event for the whole family. A highlight of the day was seeing Megan Kleynhans, who was part of the South African U13 team that achieved two team silver medals at the UIPM 2022 Biathle-Triathle World Championships held in Madeira, Portugal.

“We are proud to have hosted a very successful event and thankful for the opportunity to do so. I strongly believe the event has promoted Laser Run in our province and created awareness, which helped us gain many new athletes.”

 

Telsiai (LTU)

· Saturday May 13

· Telsiai Stadium

· 171 participants

Men’s winner, Hungary OCR champion Dainius Liutkus: “I know my mistakes, I know what needs to be improved. I was pleased with the result today. But I will definitely be stronger in the next round.”

 

Women's U17 winner Neda Dorosevaitė: “The competition is growing. It’s gratifying. I was lucky today. I was the fastest. This is a great motivation to move forward.”

 

Gijon (ESP)

· Saturday May 13

· City Centre, San Lorenzo Beach

· 169 participants

LOC official: “The first Spanish GLRCT of the year was held in Gijon city center, next to San Lorenzo beach with some outstanding Masters athletes taking part: Roberto Sanchez, Antonio Sanchez, Javier Carnero, Natalia Sanchez, Conchita Vallina, Maria Carnero and Maria De Pablo. All are prolific medal winners in UIPM Laser Run and Biathle-Triathle World Championships.

“The event was held in a friendly and festive atmosphere and Modern Pentathlon Federation of the Principality of Asturias President Angel Fernandez Lopez said he looked forward to it being repeated in the coming years.”

Riga (LAT)

· Saturday May 20

· Stadium of Rigas 72 Vidusskola

· 75 participants

LOC spokesperson: “Some hot weather didn’t disturb the competition with all participants healthy and competing with a smile. Athletes from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Ukraine competed in categories from U11 to Masters 60+. The next Latvian GLRCT will be in Salaspils in August 2023.”

Gori (GEO)

· Saturday, May 20

· Gori

· Around 100 participants

LOC member Marika Kakhiashvili: “It's an honour to hold a Laser Run event in Gori, to see how young athletes are competing with each other to achieve their goals and standing on the podium. I'm glad that athletes came to Gori from Sachkhere, Tchiatura, Gori, Rustavi and Tbilisi.”

 

Participant Davit Donadze: “It is the second year that this event has been held in Gori. I am very happy and glad to see so many kids competing together at Laser Run event. It gives big motivation.”

 

Maracay (VEN)

· Saturday May 26

· Aragua Sports Centre

· Over 180 participants

LOC official: “The Venezuelan Modern Pentathlon was full of party on May 26, with the first Laser Run event of 2023, in which more than 180 boys and girls of different ages from various educational institutions and athletics clubs participated.

“Our thanks to the collaboration of the physical education and classroom teachers and coaches, without whom would have been impossible to carry out this great day.

“This was the first of three GLRCT events this year as we look forward to the expansion of the Modern Pentathlon in Venezuela. The Board of Directors of our Modern Pentathlon Federation and Technical are committed to hosting these successful events.”

Kiev (UKR)

· Sunday May 27

· National Ukrainian Centre "Sport for All” Stadium

· More than 250 participants

LOC spokesperson: “More than 250 athletes participated in the competition despite the fact that May was a very difficult month for Ukraine and Kiev residents due to the ongoing war.

“The atmosphere was touching, festive and, as always, the joy of victories and the intensity of the struggle were felt at the competition. It is interesting to note that the volunteers on the ground were active athletes, members of the Ukrainian national team, who helped, cheered and supported all participants.

“With a lot of fans and incredible support from every athlete, we were able to organise an amazing celebration of sport.”

Bloemfontein (RSA)

· Sunday May 27

· University of the Free State in Bloemfontein

· 67 participants

Leana Esterhuizen, Vice Chair of the Free State Modern Pentathlon Association: “This was such a positive experience with the new UIPM Laser Run branding and music creating an exciting atmosphere. We are excited about the number of athletes who were exposed to Laser Run through the Global City Tour and hope many of them start the sport when our new season in October.

“The crowd was involved from the first race, encouraging all the athletes. There were eight current registered Free State Modern Pentathlon Association Laser Run athletes, thus excitingly most of the people were new to the sport. The highlight of the day was when Hanru Krause, U17 silver medallist and U17 mixed relay gold medallist at the 2022 LRWCH in Lisbon, Portugal, sprinting away from the pack of athletes.”

 

Ouahigouya (BFA)

· Sunday May 27

· Ouahigouya Stadium

· 370 participants

LOC spokesperson: “Ouahigouya, a city in northern Burkina Faso, is part of the red zone, where terrorist groups are rampant. Despite this very difficult context, we were able to organise a very successful GLRCT.

“The vision of development is to favour younger categories in order to identify emerging talents. Organisers targeted young categories without abandoning the more senior ones and ensured a good atmosphere. About 370 children were able to take part in the competition, to the satisfaction of the municipal authorities who were