UIPM 2019 Global Laser Run City Tour: Families unite in Panama City (PAN)

South America recently became the first continent in the world to have a 100% representation of UIPM national federations, and Panama is one of several countries energetically promoting grassroots development.

The country held its first edition of the Global Laser Run City Tour on August 24, giving young athletes and family members their first taste of competitive Laser Run and the urban sports phenomenon that has spread across the world since its introduction in 2017.

Panama City will host the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2022, providing aspiring pentathletes with a major incentive to work towards.

Lutgardis Arrue, President of the Panama Modern Pentathlon Union (UPPM), said: “The 2019 GLRCT in Panama was carried out successfully, exceeding expectations. The participants were all very excited and have asked for the event to be repeated.

“The sports authorities were impressed as it was the first time an event of this kind had been held, and it was developed in a very organized way.

“It was a motivating event that brought the families together and led us to detect talents that we hope to incorporate into the rest of the sports disciplines of the Modern Pentathlon.”

UIPM Technical Delegate Ana Ruth Orellana (GUA), who oversaw the competition, added: “Panama has a lot of talent, many young kids competed and they were excited and loved the format. I hope the federation use this momentum to bring through some new athletes."

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.

Have you liked the UIPM Laser Run page on Facebook yet?