As Modern Pentathlon continues to thrive in Ireland, Pentathlon Ireland have announced they are set to host the fourth Laser-Run World Championship in Dublin in September 2018.
The Laser-Run mirrors the final event of the Modern Pentathlon, combing running and shooting. This involves competitors running 800 metres four times, with four rounds of laser pistol shooting in between each run. Athletes must hit a target five times from a 10-metre distance before they can run the next leg. The total number of hits is 20 and total running distance is 3,200 meters.
On the day prior to the main event, there will be a full programme of events with the Primary School’s Laser-Run national championships taking place. This will be followed by an evening open competition, giving the public an exciting opportunity to try the event for themselves.
Darragh Cunningham, CEO of Pentathlon Ireland said: “I am delighted to be bringing the championships to Dublin. We expect over 450 competitors from over 20 countries competing and this will include two of Ireland’s finest Olympians, Arthur Lanigan O'Keeffe and Natalya Coyle.
Today @ArthurLOK1 & @Natalyacoyle were on hand for the launch of Laser-Run World Championship, Dublin 2018 hosted by @Pent_Ireland! pic.twitter.com/VvgHp3qY8f
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) June 6, 2017
He added: “Support to date from Fáilte Ireland and Dublin City Council has been critical to hosting this event and it’s such a terrific event we hope to secure additional sponsors in the coming months”
Two-time Olympian Arthur Lanigan O'Keeffe who was crowed European Champion in 2015 said “I am really excited about these championships coming to Ireland. This is a fast-paced and dynamic event, which will be a great showcase for our sport. And it has the bonus of taking place right in the heart of Dublin in Smithfield Square”
Natalya Coyle, who came sixth at Rio 2016 said, “I can’t wait to compete in this event and I am thrilled that the public will get the opportunity to try the sport too. The school’s laser run could unearth the next future star for Pentathlon Ireland”
The Smithfield event will be the third time the World Championships will take place in Europe. Perpignan in France hosted the inaugural Championship in 2015, followed by the Portuguese capital Lisbon in 2016.
The South African city of Cape Town will host the 2017 World Championships this October.
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