Pentathlon GB

Usually, the multi-sport events of Modern Pentathlon start with the modern biathlon (swim, run), leading on to the triathlon (run, swim, shoot), and next developing the skill of fencing for the tetrathlon, eventually participating in the pentathlon which includes the ride.

Training days are held on a two monthly programme, in all disciplines, from beginners, to more experienced. The current training programme can be found here
All equipment for training days is provided

• Shooting
• Fencing
• Swimming
• Riding
• Running

Shooting:
Shooting is with any 4.5mm (.177') calibre compressed air or CO2 pistol fired at a standing target from a distance of 10 metres. Competitors have either 10 or 20 shots, depending on the competition and their age. The time allowed for each shot is 40 seconds. Classes E, D may have a loader and use two hands to hold the pistol. Class C may have a loader but shoot one-handed



There are strict safety rules which must be observed at all competitions involving the shooting discipline and competitors should make themselves familiar with the rules, which are available from HQ.

For 10 shot competitions 86 target points equate to 1000 modern pentathlon points, with each target point above or below this target being worth 12 pentathlon points. For 20 shot competitions, 172 target points equate to 1000 modern pentathlon points, with each target point above or below this target being worth 12 pentathlon points.

Fencing:
The fencing discipline of Modern Pentathlon is based on all competitors in a class fencing all others in a one hit contest. Depending on the numbers of competitors this may be increased to two hits. The weapon is the electric epeé in either size 1 or size 2. Size 2 is used by junior athletes only. The 'electric' epeé is electrically monitored by a system that detects 'hits' by the operation of a tip switch in the epeé blade.



A competitor who wins 70% of the total bouts fought gains 1000 pentathlon points. The value of each bout won or lost depends on the total number of bouts being fought. This value is set out in the rules, but the following table gives two examples;

Number of fencers	Number of bouts	Number of bouts for 1000 points	Number of bouts for 1000 points
32	31	22	plus/minus 28
61	60	42	plus/minus 16

Swimming:
To Amateur Swimming Association laws.
Competitors may swim any stroke or style over the required distance, these being as follows;

	Youth E	Youth D	Youth C	Youth B	Youth A
Distance (m)	50	100	100	200	200
Target Time for 1000 points	40s	1m 20s	1m 14s (B) 1m 20s (G)	2m 30s (B) 2m 40s (G)	2m 30s (B) 2m 40s (G)

	Juniors	Seniors	Seniors
Distance (m)	200	200	100
Target Time for 1000 points	2m 30s (B) 2m 40s (G)	2m 30s (B) 2m 40s (G)	1m 40s (B) 1m 50s (G)

Riding:
The riding discipline of Modern Pentathlon is intended to be a test of horsemanship. Competitors must complete a riding course of 350 - 450 metres comprising 12 obstacles (including a double and a treble). The height of the fences depends on the age of the competitors and local competitions may vary the number of obstacles. Competitors have to ride a horse which is unknown to them and they draw lots to discover which horse they will ride. They then have twenty minutes to 'warm up' during which time they may have 5 practice jumps in the warm up arena.



1200 pentathlon points are awarded for a clear round completed within the target time. Penalty points are imposed for exceeding this time and for jumping errors. These may arise from, for example, from refusals, knock downs or a fall.

Running:
The run can be completed on any type of surface and may be one or more laps. The course should be clearly marked with flags and the maximum climb of the course should be 50m.



Starts are usually mass starts although for Pentathlon competitions a handicapped start may be used. Here, the competitor in the lead after four events starts the run first. All other competitors' start times are calculated based on the number of points they trail the leader after four events and the points per second allowed for their age and distance.

	Youth E	Youth D	Youth C	Youth B	Youth A
Distance (m)	1000	1000	1000	2000	3000
Target Time for 1000 points	3m 40s (B) 4m 00s (G)	3m 40s (B) 4m 00s (G)	3m 10s (B) 3m 40s (G)	6m 40s (B) 7m 40s (G)	10m 00s (B) 11m 20s (G)

	Juniors	Seniors	Masters
Distance (m)	3000	3000	2000 (M) 1000 (W)
Target Time for 1000 points	10m 00s (M) 11m 20s (W)	10m 00s (M) 11m 20s (W)	7m 40s (M) 4m 00s (W)