Laser Run added to Invictus Games 2027 thanks to influence of LJMU

LJMU has been a trailblazer in the inclusive sport of Para Pentathlon, so much so that the Para Laser element of the event has been added to the Invictus Games which is scheduled to return to the UK in 2027.

At the official announcement earlier this week that Birmingham would play host to the 2027 games, LJMU’s Dr Nic Robinson was in attendance to champion the sport of Laser Run - a combined event, with competitors alternating between shooting a laser pistol and running (or pushing for wheelchair athletes) – and to share how the university’s Para Pentathlon Project has influenced its inclusion in the games.

The initial launch of the Para Pentathlon Project, based within LJMU’s Coaching and Pedagogy Research Group at the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and led by Dr Robinson as Principal Investigator, took place just 18 months ago with an ambition to develop a new, inclusive version of the Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon.

Since then, the project has championed the accessible and inclusive sport through the staging of international competitions, education activities and training camps, raising the profile of Para Laser Run and Para Laser Sport more widely. Each event and opportunity has been co-created with the athletes, ensuring that the sport is developed to meet their needs.

With more interest in the sport than ever before, its inclusion in the Invictus Games line-up for 2027 is testament to the work that’s been driven forwards by LJMU and has contributed to the bid to bring the games back to the UK.

Dr Robinson attended the announcement launch at the NEC along with representatives from the para pentathlete community including European Gold Medallist Rachel Massey and Corporal Shona Brownlee MBE PLY, Pentathlon GB athlete Sam Curry and representing the Army Modern Pentathlon Association Colonel James Thurstan. The event highlighted the sport of Laser Run to the Invictus community including Helen Helliwell CEO Invictus Birmingham 2027, the Minster for Veterans Al Carns OBE MC MP and Invictus Games competitors, alongside the world’s media.

Dr Gus Ryrie, LJMU’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “As the Invictus movement supports wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans, the addition of Laser Run in Birmingham 2027 is a perfect opportunity to showcase a truly inclusive sport. Nic’s drive and enthusiasm towards Para Pentathlon is inspirational. We are looking forward to seeing the next steps in the collaboration. A project that highlights LJMU’s ongoing commitment to the wider Armed Forces community.”

The Para Pentathlon Project is looking forward to the next stages to engage in the Invictus journey in specific research areas and operations around Laser Run in the build-up to, during and post the Birmingham 2027 Invictus Games.

LJMU’s support for the Armed Forces community

LJMU signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021. Since then, it has appointed its first Armed Forces Champion and formed a cross-university Armed Forces Steering Group, which brings together colleagues across all factions of the university to drive forwards everything from research to HR policy development, all with the aim of better supporting students and staff from the Armed Forces community and creating positive change for the community across the UK.

Find out more about LJMU’s pledge to the Armed Forces community.