A state-of-the-art modern pentathlon obstacle course is set to open at Cath Thom Leisure Centre, boosting regional athlete training.
By Megan Worthington
••4 min read
AI
A modern pentathlon obstacle course facility.
Hyndburn is set to benefit from a new elite modern pentathlon obstacle facility at the Cath Thom Leisure Centre, a project driven by community effort and council support.
Talented athletes from Hyndburn and across the region will soon have access to a major new sporting facility, with plans progressing for an Olympic-standard modern pentathlon training area at the Cath Thom Leisure Centre in Clayton-Le-Moors.
The project was spearheaded by the community club North West Pentathlon Hub, whose volunteers raised over £20,000 for specialist equipment and coach training. Hyndburn Borough Council is providing match funding for essential groundworks, fencing, and a new accessible pathway.
Upon completion, this facility will be the only one of its kind in the UK outside of the National Performance Centre in Bath, offering elite training opportunities closer to home for regional competitors who currently must travel south.
Located at the recently opened Cath Thom Leisure Centre, the new obstacle course complements existing swimming, athletics, fitness, and outdoor facilities, making the site ideal for supporting the five disciplines of modern pentathlon.
Modern pentathlon has recently replaced horse riding with an obstacle discipline, which will debut at the LA 2028 Olympics. This fast-paced event tests athletes' speed, agility, strength, and coordination. The new facility aims to develop fundamental skills for younger athletes and enhance conditioning for elite members.
The North West Pentathlon Hub currently supports over 60 members, including young athletes from Hyndburn on the Pentathlon GB development pathway. The new facility is expected to significantly increase participation and foster stronger links with local schools.
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"This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when local organisations work together with a shared ambition. The North West Pentathlon Hub volunteers have shown incredible commitment in raising the funds for the equipment, and we are delighted to also financially support the delivery of the facility. The obstacle course will create opportunities for local people to develop their talent, pursue their sporting ambitions and access facilities that are normally only available much further afield. It is an investment not only in sport, but in the future of our young people and our community."
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"The Cath Thom Leisure Centre was created to provide outstanding opportunities for health, wellbeing and sporting achievement, and this project is a perfect fit with that vision. This is an incredible exciting opportunity to provide a pathway for local athletes to progress from grassroots participation through to elite competition in the full pentathlon."
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"The obstacle rig provides North West Pentathlon Hub the final training piece to train in all pentathlon sports disciplines for both our current members and creating initiatives for new participants. This project has demonstrated a blueprint of true partnership between Hyndburn Leisure Trust and Hyndburn Borough Council in showcasing this amazing multi-sport and bringing more opportunities to our community as well as the wider sporting community, with endorsements from England Athletics and Sport England."
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"We are incredibly proud to have worked alongside the North West Pentathlon Hub and Hyndburn Borough Council to help bring this project to life. The Cath Thom Leisure Centre was designed to inspire participation, nurture talent and support people to achieve their potential. This new facility strengthens our sporting offer even further and provides an exciting opportunity for athletes across the region to train to the highest standards here in Hyndburn, while also encouraging more young people to get involved in sport and physical activity."
Work is expected to begin later this month, with the North West Pentathlon Hub anticipating welcoming athletes to the new facility shortly. This project represents a significant investment in the borough's sporting infrastructure.
