Ministers Byrne and Naughton launch Active School Flag ‘Run Around Europe’ Challenge 2024
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From: Department of Education
- Published on: 26 February 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, and Minister for Public Health, Hildegarde Naughton, have launched an exciting new Active School Flag four-week running challenge for all primary and special schools.
From 26 February to 22 March, #RunAroundEurope will challenge pupils and school communities to build ‘A Run A Day’ into their daily routines for the four weeks.
In recognition of the work of teachers and the school community, schools that register, participate and showcase their engagement in the challenge, will be entered in to a ‘Participation Awards’ draw, where they will have the chance to win one of six climbing walls. The draw will take place on 22 March 2024.
Minster Byrne said:
"I want to encourage all primary schools and special schools to take part in the ‘Run Around Europe Challenge’. This exciting Active School Flag initiative is focused on participation, inclusion and fun, with lots of learning opportunities along the way. This is a great opportunity for schools to promote the benefits of physical activity and promote a healthy school community. I wish the best of luck to the almost 600 schools that have registered to participate and I hope all participants enjoy the challenge.”
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Hildegarde Naughton said:
"Joining a larger effort, be it for fun, for competition, or to get fit is a great motivator, and I want to extend my congratulations to all children, and their teachers, for their commitment and dedication to this very worthy challenge.
“The Active School Flag initiative plays a vitally important role in promoting physical activity among our child and adolescent population, and the #RunAroundEurope challenge is a great way for us to link with international efforts in this regard. Healthy Ireland’s support for this initiative reflects the importance of encouraging physical activity to encourage life-long healthy behaviours in children that will have a long-term impact on health and wellbeing.”
School communities are encouraged to visit the ‘Run Around Europe’ webpage for more information and to make sure to use the #RunAroundEurope to share their photos and videos online.
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Schools can apply by visiting the Active School Flag website for more information and registering your school to participate. On registration, schools gain access to a wide range of ready-made challenge resources in both English and Irish.