There’s huge excitement in the build-up to The Laser Run and Modern Pentathlon World Championships, which are being held in August at the University of Bath.
The Laser Run World Championships offer a rare opportunity for families and fans from across the region to witness the world’s best athletes compete in the UK, combining running and shooting in dynamic and fast-paced races, plus for the first time ever rounds of laser shooting from five to ten metres distance and running laps from 300 to 600m.
Plus, for the first time ever, this year’s Laser Run World Championships, which are held from 19-21 August, will also include a Para Laser Run category.
Spectators attending the Modern Pentathlon World Championships (22 – 28 August) will have the opportunity to watch athletes fence, show-jump and laser shoot and run live from their seats in an outdoor arena, while the swimming section – taking place in the University of Bath Sports Training Village’s Olympic-sized pool – will be broadcast via a large video screen in the stadium.
All five sports take place in a new, action-packed 90-minute format, making it the ultimate mental and physical challenge for athletes, and even more exciting for spectators.
Day tickets are available for all ten days of the Championships, from Laser Run individuals and relays, to Modern Pentathlon qualification days, semi-finals and finals.
But you don’t need to be a die-hard sports fan to enjoy the World Championships. Alongside the thrilling competitive events, an exciting programme of family entertainment is being planned including ‘come and try’ laser run sessions, games and great music to immerse everyone in the event and make sure they have an unforgettable day out.
Highlights include –
19 August: See the Women’s Individual Laser Run & Discover Para Laser Sport and take part in the Come and Try sessions.
22 August: It’s the day of the Modern Pentathlon Women’s and Men’s Relay Final. Tuesday is also the Championships Family day (all day tickets are just £5 each) and there will be Come and Try sessions.
27 August: Watch the Modern Pentathlon Women’s and Men’s Finals and participate in the Come and Try sessions.
Olympic Champion Kate French is looking forward to the event. “It is so exciting that the World Championships will be taking place right here in the beautiful city we call home. I have very fond memories of competing here when the University of Bath hosted the 2015 and 2019 European Championships – hearing that home crowd roaring you on is such an incredible feeling.”
Rising star athlete Myles Pillage was a double relay gold-medallist when Bath hosted the 2019 European Championships. He says, “The new format is brilliant for spectators as they get to see all the action in one place and in quick succession. I know sports fans will relish this opportunity to see world-class athletes competing at the very highest level here in Britain.”
These championships are governed by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon (UIPM) and hosted by Pentathlon GB, in partnership with UK Sport, the University of Bath and Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Tickets are available now at wch2023.org along with more information about the Championships, a Paris 2024 qualifier event. People can also follow Pentathlon GB (@PentathlonGB) and the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (@WorldPentathlon) on social media for the latest updates.