If your idea of cross country running involves trudging around a muddy field for several kilometres, Fethard Athletic Club has something rather different lined up this December.
The Bean Óg Open Cross Country Challenge, taking place on Sunday, 20 December 2026, promises an 8km adventure through the picturesque woodlands of Everardsgrange, near Fethard in County Tipperary.
With winding forest trails, undulating hills, jumps, dykes and a variety of challenging terrain, this is a race where runners will have to do considerably more than simply put one foot in front of the other.
And with Christmas just around the corner, it could be the perfect opportunity to finish the running year with something a little out of the ordinary.
A Cross Country Race With A Twist
Organised by Fethard Athletic Club, the event takes runners away from the familiar open fields and into a beautiful wooded setting, where the changing terrain promises to keep competitors on their toes.
The 8km course combines grass and woodland trails, with natural obstacles, jumps, dykes and rolling hills adding an extra dimension to the challenge.
It is the sort of course where finding your rhythm could prove difficult, particularly when the next turn might bring another climb, a tricky section underfoot or an obstacle to negotiate.
Unlike a conventional cross country race, where much of the challenge comes from the distance and conditions, the Bean Óg Challenge places a particular emphasis on navigating the terrain itself.
There is something appealing about that. Runners who spend much of their year pounding the roads or chasing times on relatively predictable courses might find this a welcome change.
And while a good finishing time is always satisfying, this feels like an event where the experience of getting around the course could be just as memorable.
Medals Across The Age Categories
There will also be plenty to compete for, with the organisers offering bespoke medals to the leading finishers.
Prizes will be awarded to the first three competitors in the senior categories, as well as the leading three in the Masters O40, O50, O60 and O70 categories.
With both male and female competitions, there is plenty of incentive for runners of different ages to get involved.
Of course, you do not need to be chasing a podium finish to enjoy what promises to be an entertaining morning in the Tipperary countryside.
For many, simply taking on an unfamiliar course, negotiating its obstacles and making it back to the finish will be reward enough.
How To Enter The Bean Óg Cross Country Challenge
The race takes place at Everardsgrange, Fethard, County Tipperary, on Sunday the 20th of December 2026, starting at 10am.
Entries cost €15, with an online booking fee of €1.05. Registration is available for adults and juniors aged 15 and over.
With its woodland surroundings, challenging terrain and unusual course features, the Bean Óg Cross Country Challenge offers something refreshingly different on the December racing calendar.
It might involve a few muddy shoes, some awkward jumps and the occasional scramble over uneven ground, but that is all part of the attraction.
For anyone looking to swap the usual road race for a proper countryside adventure before Christmas, this could be well worth putting in the diary.
Entries are now open through Eventmaster.
Click here to enter the Bean Óg Cross Country Challenge.
