Version 1.0

UIPM
OBSTACLEDISCIPLINECOMPETITIONGUIDELINES
30th November 2022

UNION INTERNATIONALE DE PENTATHLON MODERNE
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF MODERN PENTATHLONUIPM OBSTACLE DISCIPLINE COMPETITION GUIDELINES

2

1. GENERAL ASPECTS
These guidelines serve to regulate Obstacle Discipline in Modern Pentathlon competitions in the 2023 season for Under 17,
Under 19 and Junior age groups.
The UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Championships for the above-mentioned groups will be organized with qualifications
leading directly to a Final with 36 athletes (no Semi-finals).
The UIPM Obstacle Catalogue will be published in January 2023 and will contain details linked to the obstacles to be used indifferent competition levels, as well as their dimensions, parameters, safety requirements, sequence, and placement on thecourse.
Both the Competition Guidelines and the Obstacle Catalogue will be revised and updated before the beginning of the 2024
season with special attention to the number of obstacles, length of the course and Modern Pentathlon points system.
1.1

DEFINITIONi) Obstacle Discipline is a race that consists of overcoming obstacles from a start line to a finish point organised bothfor Individuals and for Relays.
ii) UIPM Category A competitions will be organized always as head-to-head races.
iii) In the final of the Category A competitions the order of the events must be as follows: Fencing Bonus Round,
Obstacle, Swimming, Laser Run.

1.2

VENUE
The competition can be organized indoors or outdoors with the course placed on any surface where the course canbe settled on a solid base.

1.3

THE COURSEi) eight obstacles on a course 60m-70m in length will be used for both Individual and relay competitions.
ii) in UIPM Pentathlon U17, U19 and Junior World Championships and any Category A, B and C competition for those
age groups, six of the eight obstacles will be fixed by UIPM for consistency across all events during the season, while
each LOC can select the other two obstacles. All obstacles must be selected from the UIPM Obstacle Catalogue.
iii) LOCs can have more flexibility in Category B and C competitions for U17, U19 and Junior age groups, according
to conditions that will be specified in the UIPM Obstacle Catalogue. But where this flexibility is applied, no Pentathlon
World Ranking (PWR) points will be granted.
iv) for all national competitions, LOCs can have the same flexibility mentioned in iii) according to conditions that will be
specified in the UIPM Obstacle Catalogue.

UIPM OBSTACLE DISCIPLINE COMPETITION GUIDELINES

3

2. AUTHORITIES APPOINTED BY THE LOC
2.1

OBSTACLE DISCIPLINE DIRECTOR (1)i) is responsible for the overall correct conduct of the Obstacle competition.

2.2

THE SECRETARY (1)i) takes care of all worksheets during the event.

2.3

THE CLERK OF THE COURSE (1)i) assembles the athletes prior to each heat.
ii) checks uniforms, gloves, and accessories, refusing any athlete with non-conforming equipment to go to the start
including non-authorized substance on their hands.
iii) is responsible for ensuring that the athletes are ready for the start prior to each heat.

2.4

THE COURSE JUDGES (4)i) are placed by the Obstacle Discipline Director so that they may best observe the running closely.
ii) in the case of an athlete’s first failure on an obstacle, the course judge shall immediately raise a yellow flag andloudly call “Fail” to ensure the competing athlete understands an infringement has occurred, which corresponds to awarning. In the case of a second failure on the same obstacle, the judge must raise a red flag and give the command“Stop” to confirm the elimination of the athlete.
iii) two judges are needed on each lane, and each one of them covers four out of eight obstacles.

2.5

THE STARTER (1)i) has entire control of the athletes while on their marks and is the sole judge of any fact connected with the start of
the race.
ii) is responsible for giving the start signal to the athletes when they are due to start.
iii) is responsible for applying false start penalties.

2.6

THE ARRIVAL JUDGE (1)i) is responsible for registering the arrival order of the athletes in case of timing device failure, or if manual timing isused. The judge must have a clear view of the finish buttons placed on the top of the last obstacle of the course.

2.7

THE TIMEKEEPERS (2)i) are responsible for recording the times of the athletes. They must use their stopwatches or manually operated
electronic timers. Whether automatic timing is used or not, there should always be two timekeepers.

UIPM OBSTACLE DISCIPLINE COMPETITION GUIDELINES

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3. CONDUCT OF THE COMPETITION
3.1

STARTING ORDERi) in competitions with Qualifications, the athletes/teams will be placed according to their PWR Obstacle time. If theathlete/team does not have a PWR, entry times will be used. The athlete with the slower PWR Obstacle time or slower
entry time will be placed in lane 1.
ii) in Finals, the start order is the reverse of the ranking after the Fencing Bonus Round.
iii) in Finals, two athletes/teams will compete in two lanes (head-to-head). The athlete/team lowest ranked after
fencing will be placed in lane 1.

3.2

CONTROL IN THE CALL ROOM
Athletes with nonconforming equipment (see No.4 below) will not be authorised to compete unless they change toappropriate equipment before the start of the presentation. Disqualification will be applied if an athlete refuses tocomply with this rule.

3.3

THE STARTi) athletes will be announced by the announcer and invited to take their places behind the starting line.
ii) on the Starter’s command “Take your Marks” the athletes must immediately take up a starting position with both feetbehind the starting line. The Starter gives the start signal by using a start pistol, horn, whistle, or command.

3.4

FALSE STARTi) the Starter/Announcer must immediately announce a False Start to the athletes and spectators if an athlete has
started too early.
ii) an athlete starting late will not be penalised, but their time will be taken from the moment they should have started
according to the starting signal.
iii) a false start occurs if an athlete crosses or touches the start line before the official start time.
iv) an athlete or team is penalised by a deduction of 10 points in case of False Start.
v) an athlete or team is disqualified in the case of a blatant attempt to start too early.

3.5

THE COURSEi) the athletes must overcome all obstacles on their dedicated lane according to the instructions published in these
Guidelines and the UIPM Obstacle Catalogue. They can run, walk, jump, climb, crawl, slither, scramble, lift, carry, orotherwise propel themselves across, under, over, along or through the obstacles.
ii) after an unsuccessful attempt to overcome an obstacle, the athlete may repeat it by continuing to the end of the
obstacle and returning to its beginning using the external adjacent side.
iii) after an unsuccessful second attempt to overcome the same obstacle, the athlete will be stopped and eliminated.
iv) “weighting” an obstacle, for example by applying body weight to an obstacle bar, is considered to be the start of an
attempt to overcome an obstacle element.
v) if an obstacle is followed by a landing platform, the condition for its correct completion is to land on the platform,or, if no platform, to jump with both feet beyond the line marked on the ground or mattresses underneath the
obstacle. An athlete who lands on a platform and falls or steps backward has failed the obstacle.
vi) jostling, running across, or obstructing another athlete in a way that impedes their progress results in
disqualification.
vii) if an athlete crosses and runs into another athlete’s lane to overcome obstacles with hanging elements, they will beeliminated.

UIPM OBSTACLE DISCIPLINE COMPETITION GUIDELINES

5viii) in the case of Art 3.5 vi) and vii) where the affected athlete has been unfairly compromised in the opinion of the
Course Judge, they will have the right to perform the whole course again.
ix) athletes will have their results ranked according to their performance times measured to 1/100th of a second.
3.6

THE FINISH
Athletes will complete the course the moment they activate the finish button with any part of their hands, arms, orforearms. The button must be connected to a horn, scoreboard, or another finish device. The winner of the heat is thefirst one to push the button.

3.7

MODERN PENTATHLON POINTS
Modern Pentathlon points are awarded according to the performance times presented in the Appendix A to these
Guidelines. Each 0.50 second is equal to 1 MP point.

3.8

SAFETYi) during the warm-up it is forbidden for an athlete to start one obstacle while another athlete is still overcoming it.
ii) in case of lightning strikes in outdoor competitions all activities must be immediately suspended.
iii) in case of rain, wind, or other adverse weather conditions the Technical Delegates have the power to postpone
the competition, exclude obstacles, reduce the number of elements of an obstacle and declare it mandatory to start
obstacles with hanging elements by a specific element, and any other measure to ensure the safety of the athletes
including, for example, the use of ropes with knots to climb obstacles and anti-slip elements.
iv) additional safety measures will be published in the UIPM Obstacle Catalogue.

4. EQUIPMENT REGULATIONSi) in Category A competitions, athletes from the same National Federation must wear their national uniforms.
ii) the athlete must wear a top or pentasuit with their name clearly visible and professionally made, printed, or
embroidered, on the back of the top or pentasuit, below which is the NF code, of a size between 7-12cm and in acolour contrasting to that of their shirt or pentasuit.
iii) the UIPM logo patch must be placed on the top or pentasuit according to the current version of the UIPM Uniform
Guidelines. Missing or wrongly placing the UIPM logo patch will be penalised by a deduction of 10 points.
iv) athletes must compete with athletic shoes without spikes.
v) the LOC is responsible for providing every athlete with two start numbers.
vi) start numbers, indicating the start order, are provided by the LOC in accordance with UIPM Visual Guidelines andmust be worn by the athletes. Numbers must be worn on the front and back above waist height and be visible in all
weather conditions. The start numbers can be made of adhesive material.
vii) it is forbidden for athletes to modify the dimensions (size and width) of the start numbers given by the LOC.
viii) gloves, wristbands, compressive sleeves, taping, and similar items are allowed.
ix) watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, piercings, loose apparel, unsecured hair, and any other item that could
catch on an obstacle are prohibited.
x) sunglasses or eyeglasses are only allowed with safety stripes.
xi) climbing, weightlifting, gymnastics, football, basketball, and similar “chalk” (magnesium) in all its forms (liquid,
powder, etc.) are prohibited.
xii) cameras, phones, radios, tape recorders or any type of communication systems are prohibited.

UIPM OBSTACLE DISCIPLINE COMPETITION GUIDELINES

6

5. INFRINGEMENTS AND PENALTIES
5.1

AN ATHLETE OR TEAM IS PENALIZED BY A WARNING WHEN:i) they fail on an obstacle for the first time.

5.2

AN ATHLETE OR TEAM IS PENALIZED BY A DEDUCTION OF TEN POINTS FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWINGOFFENCES:i) contravening clothing/equipment regulationsii) modifying dimensions of start numbersiii) False Start.

5.3

AN ATHLETE OR TEAM IS ELIMINATED FOR:i) the second failure on the same obstacleii) crossing and running into another athlete’s lane to overcome obstacles with hanging elementsiii) an incorrect change in the relayiv) use of cameras, phones, or other prohibited devicesv) use of chalk (magnesium).

5.4

AN ATHLETE OR TEAM IS DISQUALIFIED FOR:i) jostling, running across, or obstructing another athleteii) refusing to comply with Equipment Regulationsiii) a blatant attempt to start too early.

OFFENCES

RULE

PENALTY

Obstacle first failure

5.1.i)

Warning

Contravening clothing regulations

5.2.i)

10 ptsModifying dimensions of start numbers

5.2.ii)10 pts

False Start

5.2.iii)

10 ptsSecond failure at same obstacle

5.3.i)

Elimination

Crossing and running into another athlete’s lane to overcome obstacleswith hanging elements

5.3.ii)

Elimination

Incorrect change in the relay

5.3.iii)

Elimination

Use of cameras, phones, and other devices

5.3.iv)Elimination

Use of chalk

5.3.v)

Elimination

Jostling, running across or obstructing another athlete

5.4.i)

Disqualification

Refusing to comply with Equipment Regulations

5.4.ii)Disqualification

A blatant attempt to start too early

5.4.iii)

Disqualification

UIPM OBSTACLE DISCIPLINE COMPETITION GUIDELINES

7APPENDIX A | OBSTACLE DISCIPLINE POINTS TABLE
Time(s)

Pts

20.00

340

20.50

339

21.00

338

21.50

337

22.00

Time(s)Pts

Time(s)Pts

Time(s)Pts

Time(s)

Pts

35.50

309

51.00

278

36.00

308

51.50

277

66.50

247

82.00

216

67.00

246

82.50

215

36.50

307

52.00

276

37.00

306

52.50

275

67.50

245

83.00

214

68.00

244

83.50

213

336

37.50

305

53.00

274

68.50

243

84.00

212

Time(s)Pts

Time(s)Pts

Time(s)Pts

Time(s)

Pts

97.50

185

113.0098.00

184113.50154

128.50123

144.0092

153129.00122

144.50

91

98.50

183

114.00

152

99.00

182

114.50151

129.50121

145.0090

130.00120

145.50

89

99.50

181

115.00150130.50119146.00Time(s)Pts

Time(s)Pts

159.5061

175.0030

160.0060

175.5029

160.5059

176.0028

161.0058176.5027

88161.5057

177.00

26

22.50

335

38.00

304

53.50

273

69.00

242

84.50

211

100.00180

115.50149

131.00118

146.5087

162.0056

177.50

25

23.00

334

38.50

303

54.00

272

69.50

241

85.00

210

100.50179

116.00148131.50117

147.0086

162.5055

178.00

24

23.50

333

39.00

302

54.50

271

70.00

240

85.50

209

101.00178

116.50147132.00116

147.5085

163.0054178.50

23

24.00

332

39.50

301

55.00

270

70.50

239

86.00

208

101.50177

117.00146132.50115

148.0084

163.5053

179.00

22

24.50

331

40.00

300

55.50

269

71.00

238

86.50

207

102.00176

117.50145

133.00114

148.5083

164.0052

179.50

21

25.00

330

40.50

299

56.00

268

71.50

237

87.00

206

102.50175

118.00144

133.50113

149.0082

164.5051

180.00

20

25.50

329

41.00

298

56.50

267

72.00

236

87.50

205

103.00174

118.50143

134.00112

149.5081

165.0050

180.50

19

26.00

328

41.50

297

57.00

266

72.50

235

88.00

204

103.50173

119.00142134.50111

150.0080

165.5049

181.00

18

26.50

327

42.00

296

57.50

265

73.00

234

88.50

203

104.00172

119.50141

135.00110

150.5079

166.0048

181.50

17

27.00

326

42.50

295

58.00

264

73.50

233

89.00

202

104.50171

120.00140135.50109

151.0078

166.5047

182.00

16

27.50

325

43.00

294

58.50

263

74.00

232

89.50

201

105.00170

120.50139

136.00108151.5077167.0046

182.50

15

28.00

324

43.50

293

59.00

262

74.50

231

90.00

200

105.50169

121.00138

136.50107

152.0076

167.5045

183.00

14

28.50

323

44.00

292

59.50

261

75.00

230

90.50

199

106.00168

121.50137

137.00106152.5075

168.0044183.50

13

29.00

322

44.50

291

60.00

260

75.50

229

91.00

198

106.50167

122.00136

137.50105

153.0074

168.5043

184.00

12

29.50

321

45.00

290

60.50

259

76.00

228

91.50

197

107.00166

122.50135138.00104

153.5073

169.0042184.50

11

30.00

320

45.50

289

61.00

258

76.50

227

92.00

196

107.50165

123.00134138.50103

154.0072

169.5041

185.00

10

30.50

319

46.00

288

61.50

257

77.00

226

92.50

195

108.00164

123.50133

139.00102

154.5071

170.0040

185.50

9

31.00

318

46.50

287

62.00

256

77.50

225

93.00

194

108.50163

124.00132139.50101

155.0070

170.5039

186.00

8

31.50

317

47.00

286

62.50

255

78.00

224

93.50

193

109.00162

124.50131

140.00100

155.5069

171.0038

186.50

7

32.00

316

47.50

285

63.00

254

78.50

223

94.00

192

109.50161

125.00130140.5099

156.0068

171.5037

187.00

6

32.50

315

48.00

284

63.50

253

79.00

222

94.50

191

110.00160

125.50129141.0098

156.5067

172.0036

187.50

5

33.00

314

48.50

283

64.00

252

79.50

221

95.00

190

110.50159

126.00128

141.5097

157.0066

172.5035

188.00

4

33.50

313

49.00

282

64.50

251

80.00

220

95.50

189

111.00158

126.50127

142.0096

157.5065

173.0034

188.50

3

34.00

312

49.50

281

65.00

250

80.50

219

96.00

188

111.50157

127.00126142.5095

158.0064173.5033

189.00

2

34.50

311

50.00

280

65.50

249

81.00

218

96.50

187

112.00156

127.50125

143.0094

158.5063

174.0032

189.50

1

35.00

310

50.50

279

66.00

248

81.50

217

97.00

186

112.50155

128.00124

143.5093

159.0062174.5031

190.000UNION INTERNATIONALE DE PENTATHLON MODERNE
Stade Louis II – Entrée C
19 avenue des Castelans
MC-98000 Monaco
Tel: +377 97 77 85 55 | Fax: +377 97 77 85 50
uipm@pentathlon.org | pentathlon.org