ROTTERDAM, 4 December 2025 – The registration period for the 35th edition of the Roparun has been extended until 31 January 2026, giving more teams time to prepare. The relay, which finishes in Rotterdam during Pentecost weekend, continues to raise money for projects that improve the quality of life of people with cancer.
Image:: Roparun. Photo: Camilla Willemsen
The organisation reports that interest in taking part remains high, with almost 200 teams already signed up. By extending the deadline, Roparun wants to give new and returning teams that are still finalising their plans extra time to complete their registration.
The event remains closely tied to Rotterdam, where the route from both Clastres in France and Enschede comes together at the finish. Each year the city acts as the end point for hundreds of runners, cyclists and support crew members, as well as the fundraising efforts that lead up to the weekend.
Registration extended for 35th edition
The Roparun in 2026 will take place during the Pentecost weekend from 23 to 25 May. Teams take part in relay form, covering hundreds of kilometres before arriving in Rotterdam. The extended registration period runs until 31 January 2026 and is intended to accommodate groups that are still putting together their line up or support structure.
According to the organisation, both new teams and long standing participants have already registered or are in the process of orientating themselves. The extra month is meant to open the door a little wider, rather than closing it for groups that need more time to arrange logistics, fundraising plans and internal approvals.
Roparun director Lesly Wolters notes that the level of engagement is already visible before the event year has started. “The energy and commitment we are seeing is very encouraging,” she says. “Many teams tell us they are finalising their formation or still preparing things internally. By extending the registration period we do not want to exclude anyone and we hope to give as many teams as possible the chance to take part.”
In 2026, Roparun marks its 35th edition. The organisation plans to reflect on the impact of previous years, when funds have been used for projects ranging from hospice facilities to wish ambulances and holiday camps for young people who are confronted with cancer. The anniversary year is expected to highlight these stories alongside the usual focus on the route and teams.
Route towards the finish in Rotterdam
For many participants, the finish in Rotterdam is the emotional centre of the weekend. Teams travel in relay from either Clastres or Enschede, combining running and cycling sections with support from drivers, caterers, physiotherapists and other crew members. The arrival in the city is usually lined with supporters, families and volunteers.
Across the year, teams organise their own fundraising activities in their home towns and workplaces. The money collected is managed by the Roparun foundation and allocated to projects that support people living with cancer, often in medical or care settings where additional comfort or facilities are needed. In 2025 more than 4,7 million euro was raised, which has been used for, among other things, hospice interiors, national funding of wish ambulances and holiday camps.
How interested teams can prepare
Teams that wish to participate in the 2026 edition can register via roparun.nl. On the same website, interested groups can request a starter’s guide that brings together the most important information about team composition, rules, logistics and fundraising expectations.
The guide is designed to help new teams understand what is involved in a non stop relay between France or Enschede and Rotterdam, from arranging rest points and transport to taking care of health and safety on the route. Returning teams can use it as a checklist to update their plans in light of any changes in the organisation or route.
For Rotterdam as the host city, the extended registration period means that more local and regional teams may still join the field in the coming weeks. Neighbourhood-based groups, company teams and hospital teams have been a visible part of earlier editions, often bringing their own supporters to the finish. With the 35th edition on the horizon, the city can expect another Pentecost weekend in which the Roparun passes through, both as a sporting event and as a fundraising tradition.





