What are the events in modern pentathlon?
B · Beginner · The competition · 1 of 7Fencing, an obstacle race, swimming, laser shooting and running. They are held as four events because shooting and running are combined in the laser run. In the top competitions the order is fixed: fencing, obstacle, swimming, laser run, with breaks of only five or ten minutes. Riding is no longer part of it outside Masters events.
How it works
- Five in four: "The five disciplines of a Modern Pentathlon competition are organised in four events: Fencing, Obstacle, Swimming and Laser Run".
- One day, one site: individual competitions are one-day events with everything "within walking distance".
- The order: in semi-finals and finals of the top category it must be fencing, obstacle, swimming, laser run.
- The breaks: five minutes after fencing, five after obstacle and ten after swimming.
- Fencing: electric épée, in one-minute bouts.
- Obstacle: eight obstacles over 70 m, raced head to head.
- Swimming: 100 m freestyle for seniors.
- Laser run: for seniors, five visits to the range and five runs of 600 m.
- Riding: kept only for competitions that still include it, such as Masters.
- Under 15: obstacle, swimming and laser run, without fencing.
- Younger still: only swimming and laser run are obligatory.
The glossary has modern pentathlon, the pentathlete, fencing, the obstacle entry, swimming and the laser run.
Tricky cases
Is riding still a pentathlon event?
Only in competitions that still include it, such as Masters. Elsewhere the obstacle discipline has taken its place.
Are shooting and running separate events?
No. They are two disciplines combined in one event, the laser run.
How long does an athlete get between the obstacle race and the swim in a final?
Five minutes.
Does every age group do all five?
No. Under 15 competitions have four disciplines in three events, and for younger groups only swimming and laser run are obligatory.
Why the rule exists
The sport was designed to find the complete athlete, one who can fight, swim, shoot and run on the same day. Packing the events close together, with breaks too short to recover fully, is deliberate: tiredness carried from one event to the next is part of the test.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seniors, juniors, under 19, under 17 | Five disciplines in four events | UIPM 1.3.1; 1.3.3 |
| Under 15 | Obstacle, swimming and laser run | UIPM 1.3.3 ii |
| Younger groups | Swimming and laser run obligatory | UIPM 1.3.3 iii |
| Masters and others with riding | The riding chapter applies | UIPM 1.3.2 |
| Tetrathlon | Any four of the five disciplines | UIPM 1.3.1 i |
From the rule book
UIPM, 2026 Modern Pentathlon Competition Rules and Equipment Regulations (as of 1 February 2026), Articles 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UIPM Competition Rules and Equipment Regulations, 1 February 2026 (PDF).