One of the biggest events held by Roscommon Sports Partnership every year is the Roscommon Community Challenge comprising of a 5KM and 10KM walk/jog/run.
Previously known as The Ronan McCormack Challenge, this has always been a well-supported event, having raised nearly €200,000 since its inauguration in 2013. This is down to the generosity of the participants, sponsors and volunteers down through the years. Many charities have benefited from the event in the past such as Pieta House, Mayo/Roscommon Hospice and the Jack and Jill Foundation. Most recently, the proceeds have gone to the Roscommon Special Olympics club and the Roscommon Community Sports Park.
The Roscommon Community Sports Park is a wonderful facility catering for the needs of everyone in Roscommon Town and surrounding areas. The facility comprises of a 3G Astro Pitch (a full size or 3 smaller size pitches), a multi-purpose building, which includes 4 dressing rooms, toilets and shower facilities and a comprehensive meeting room area which is available to local groups for rent. The proceeds raised go to the upkeep and development of the facility.
The Roscommon Special Olympics club have been long-time supporters and beneficiaries of this event. The club provides bowling, swimming, boccia and athletics for Special Olympic athletes. Many athletes have successfully represented the Roscommon Special Olympics club on the national and international stage in the past and proceeds raised would ensure that the services can continue to be provided and increase participation.
Participants can walk, jog, run or even crawl the 5K or 10K routes. The Roscommon Community Sports Park is the headquarters and starting point for both the 5K and 10K routes and both routes are signposted and marshalled along the way. The routes bring participants along a moonlight tour of Roscommon town.
The event is open to everyone, and it is the perfect way to kickstart the New Year. Everyone from beginners to accomplished runners are welcome to take part, and people of all ages and abilities are encouraged to join in. The aim of this event is to have fun, race at you own pace and engage in physical activity while raising vital funds for two very worthy causes.
It has always been heavily supported by all local running and athletics clubs, walking groups, the local secondary schools and all members of local sports clubs or gyms.
As part of this event, there is an 8 week training programme that commences the first week of January. This has been very popular through the years and is tailored to suit the need of every participant. You may want to run or walk off the New Year festivities or work up to successfully completing the 5 or 10k challenge or for those who want to walk each evening in the company of other walkers, then this twice-weekly training programme is ideal.
The programme leads right up to the night of the event and will be delivered by fully qualified training instructors under the guidance of Noel and our staff at Roscommon Sports Partnership. The training is a gradual build up to either the 5K or 10K for both walkers and runners. The training programme is aimed at walkers, joggers and runners of all abilities.
Keep an eye on our pages in December for news of next years event!
