Previously known as The Ronan McCormack Challenge, this has always been a well-supported event, having raised over €200,000 since its inauguration in 2013. This is due 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. This year, the proceeds will go 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 will 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 football 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, or run the 5K or 10K routes. The Roscommon Community Sports Park will be the headquarters and starting point for both the 5K and 10K routes and both routes will be signposted and marshalled along the way. The routes will bring participants along a moonlight tour of Roscommon town.

The event is open to everyone, and it is the perfect way to kickstart a healthy 2023. Everyone from beginners to accomplished runners are welcome to take part, and people of all ages and abilities are encouraged to join in. This is the ideal event to get everyone back into fitness after the Christmas festivities.  The aim of this event is to have fun, race at their own pace and engage in physical activity while raising vital funds for two very worthy causes.

It is hoped that this event will be supported by all local running and athletics clubs, walking groups, the local secondary schools and all members of local sports clubs or gyms.

As usual for this event, the training programme is also returning. This has been very popular through the years and are tailored to suit the need of every participant. Perhaps you might 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 is the place for you. The 8-week training 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 staff at Roscommon Sports Partnership.

The training will be 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. The training will take place every Monday and Wednesday from the 4th of January at 7pm at the Roscommon Community Sports Park. 

This year, the registration for both the training programme and the event itself will be done online only via Eventbrite. The link to register can be found on the Roscommon Community Challenge and Roscommon Sports Partnership Facebook pages or on our website www.rosactive.org. The fee for the 8-week training programme is €20, while the entry fee for the main event on the 03rd of March is €20 for adults and €5 for children (the training fee does not include entry to the main event). All participants must have paid their registration online prior to the event.

Tea/coffee will be available for participants after the event at the Sports Park, all participants are encouraged to enjoy a hot refreshment and have a chat and reflect on the evening.

Register here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/479142848157

For more information contact info@rosactive.org or phone 086 1721181/090 6630853.