How does the obstacle event in modern pentathlon work?
B · Beginner · Obstacle and swimming · 4 of 7Two athletes race in separate lanes over eight obstacles on a 70-metre course, finishing by running up a wall and pressing a buzzer. Most obstacles are crossed hanging from the hands: rings, bars, wheels. The time is turned into points, with each 0.33 seconds worth one point.
How it works
- The course: "Eight obstacles on a course 70m in length".
- Head to head: top-category competitions are "organised always as head-to-head races".
- Six fixed, two drawn: at senior and junior level six obstacles are fixed and two are drawn at the technical meeting.
- The fixed six: steps, big wheel, tilting ladders, over-under-through, giant steps and the finish wall.
- The first draw: from wheels, flying hoops and ascension bars.
- The second draw: from rings, climbing holds and swinging globes.
- Platforms: each obstacle has a take-off and a landing platform, and the athlete must cross the gap between them.
- How to cross: athletes may "run, walk, jump, climb, crawl, slither, scramble" or otherwise get across, within the rule for each obstacle.
- Hanging obstacles: hands only, without touching the ground between the platforms.
- Skipping elements: there is no obligation to use every ring or bar.
- The finish: pressing the buzzer with any part of the hands, arms or forearms.
- Timing: to a hundredth of a second.
- Points: from a table in which 15.00 seconds is 400 points and "each 0.33 seconds is equal to 1 MP point".
The glossary has the obstacle entry, the finish wall, the obstacle start order, the modern pentathlon points entry, the points tables and modern pentathlon.
Tricky cases
An athlete skips every second ring. Is that allowed?
Yes. There is no obligation to use all the rings.
An athlete brushes a crash mat with a foot while swinging but gains nothing from it. Is that a failure?
No. Slipping, brushing or gliding against the mats or trusses without gaining any benefit is not a failure.
An athlete presses the buzzer in the other lane by mistake. What happens?
They are eliminated. The other athlete may be allowed to race again if their run was significantly affected.
How much is one second worth?
About 3 points, since each 0.33 seconds is 1 point.
Why the rule exists
The obstacle race took the place of riding, which depended on a horse the athlete had met only minutes before. This event depends on the athlete alone, costs far less to stage and is over in under a minute. Drawing two of the obstacles keeps athletes from training for one fixed course.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Juniors and seniors | Six fixed obstacles and two drawn | UIPM 3.3.1 iii; 3.9.2 |
| Under 15, under 17, under 19 | All eight fixed | UIPM 3.3.1 iii |
| Relay | Each athlete runs the whole course in turn | UIPM 3.1 iii |
| Bad weather or a broken element | Obstacles may be excluded or shortened | UIPM 3.4.1 iii |
From the rule book
UIPM, 2026 Modern Pentathlon Competition Rules and Equipment Regulations (as of 1 February 2026), Articles 3.1, 3.3.1, 3.4.4 to 3.4.6, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.9, with Appendix 3B1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UIPM Competition Rules and Equipment Regulations, 1 February 2026 (PDF).