Young athletes from Loughborough Grammar School have achieved remarkable success on the international stage, bringing home an impressive haul of medals from the European Laser Run Championships in Turkey.
Medal-Winning Performances in Challenging Conditions
Three talented pupils from Loughborough Grammar School represented Great Britain at the prestigious European Laser Run Championships earlier this month, competing in temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius in Alanya, Turkey. The team faced strong competition and tough racing conditions but emerged triumphant with five medals between them.
Year 12 student Ewan McKittrick demonstrated exceptional skill, securing a gold medal in the mixed U19 relay after achieving an impressive sixth place finish in his individual race earlier the same day. His performance set a strong example for the entire team.
Perhaps the most remarkable achievement came from Year 8 pupil Eddie Trotman, who won gold in the boys' U13 relay. This represented an extraordinary accomplishment considering this was both his first international competition and his inaugural year participating in laser run events.
Building Champions Through Dedicated Coaching
Adding to the school's success, Clare McKittrick, a core member of Loughborough Grammar School's coaching team, competed in the masters competition where she dominated with three medals: gold in the masters event, team gold, and a silver in the mixed relay.
As a former GB athlete, Clare brings invaluable expertise to the regular laser run training sessions she conducts at the school. Her coaching focuses on developing skills, technique, and race preparation within the modern pentathlon group of sports.
Reflecting on the team's performance in Turkey, Clare praised the boys' supportive dynamic: "The boys really helped and supported each other across the time we were in Turkey, through the training and race preparation before the race and then on the day of the race itself."
Bright Futures in Modern Pentathlon
The success in Turkey has highlighted the exceptional talent developing at Loughborough Grammar School. Year 9 student Alastair McKittrick demonstrated particular resilience and determination across three demanding events, performances that have earned him recognition from Pentathlon GB.
Alastair has been invited to join the Pentathlon GB talent pathway, a structured programme designed to identify and support promising athletes through regional development, national squads, and excellence hubs.
Eddie Trotman, still processing his gold medal achievement, shared his enthusiasm about the international experience: "It was a fantastic experience - something I will always remember as I got to meet a lot of new people and form new friendships."
The team's accomplishment has generated immense pride among parents, with Eddie's parents expressing their delight: "As parents, we are absolutely delighted that Loughborough Grammar School gave Eddie the opportunity to try a completely new sport. The fact that he has gone on to represent Great Britain at the European Championships in Turkey, and won a gold medal, has gone beyond all our expectations."
With their eyes now firmly set on future competitions, including the World and European Championships scheduled for Madeira in 2026, these young athletes have established a strong foundation for continued success in laser run and modern pentathlon sports.
