How does the shooting work in the pentathlon laser run?
B · Beginner · The laser run · 7 of 7At each visit to the range the athlete must hit a target five times from 10 metres with a laser pistol, using one hand. They may take as many shots as they need. Once five hits show, they run. If 50 seconds pass without five hits, they may run anyway. Seniors shoot five series.
How it works
- Five hits: "reaching five (5) hits with an unlimited number of shots".
- The time limit:
- The target: a valid zone 59.5 mm across, at 10 m.
- How many series: five for seniors, juniors and under 19, each followed by a run of 600 m.
- One hand: "The entire pistol must be held and fired with one hand only." The other hand must not support the shooting arm.
- The stance: standing with both feet on the ground, not touching the table, inside the shooting station.
- The table: "The pistol must touch the table between each shot".
- Your own station: the leader has station 1, the second starter has station 2 and the rest follow in order.
- Leaving: only after five hits, or after the 50 seconds.
- A broken pistol: malfunctions are not taken into account. The athlete may use the reserve pistol.
- No pistol works: the athlete waits out the 50 seconds and then runs.
- Single shot: the pistol has no magazine and is loaded for each shot.
The glossary has the shooting series, the shooting station, the laser pistol, the hit confirmation entry, the laser run and the pace management entry.
Tricky cases
An athlete has four hits when 50 seconds are up. Must they keep shooting?
No. They may start running without penalty, provided the pistol is made safe.
An athlete with four green lights runs off after 30 seconds. What is the penalty?
Elimination. Leaving with three or fewer lights before the time is up is treated as a blatant early start and means disqualification.
An athlete steadies their shooting arm with the other hand. What happens?
They are eliminated.
An athlete fires at the neighbouring target by mistake. Does anything happen?
Yes. Athletes are responsible for shooting at the correct target, and shooting on the wrong one means elimination.
Why the rule exists
Shooting with a pounding heart is the skill being tested, and the unlimited shots turn accuracy into time: a calm athlete leaves in ten seconds, a shaking one in forty. The 50-second cap keeps a bad series from ending someone's race. The table rule forces a fresh aim for each shot.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Seniors, juniors, under 19 | Five series of five hits; 5 x 600 m | UIPM 5.1.1 |
| Under 17 | Four series; 4 x 600 m | UIPM 5.1.1 |
| Under 15 and younger | Target at 5 m; under 9 and under 11 may use two hands | UIPM 5.1.1; 5.4.4 iii |
| Relay, seniors | Three series for each athlete | UIPM 5.1.1 |
From the rule book
UIPM, 2026 Modern Pentathlon Competition Rules and Equipment Regulations (as of 1 February 2026), Articles 5.1.1, 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.4.4 and 5.6, with the equipment rules for the pistol. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UIPM Competition Rules and Equipment Regulations, 1 February 2026 (PDF).