GSC Run Set & Match returns to Roland-Garros on July 5

Starting and finishing at Roland-Garros, with a finish line at the foot of Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 10K GSC Run Set & Match is continuing to establish itself on France’s racing calendar. Open to runners of all abilities, the course is fast and varied, taking in the Bois de Boulogne, the Serres d’Auteuil gardens and the venue’s iconic courts.

Some runners will pin on their first race bib for the occasion, while others will be chasing a fast time. Last year, 25 runners broke 35 minutes in a race won by Emmanuel Roudolff-Lévisse, the first Frenchman at the 2026 Paris Marathon in 2:05:58.

A unique opportunity

“The idea is to offer participants more than just a race, but an adventure in an incredible venue like Roland-Garros”, explains David Donnely, co-founder of RNK, an agency specialising in sports events. The agency works on major international sporting events, particularly in rugby, cycling and ice hockey, in France and abroad. RNK also develops its own events, including an amateur padel series, Betclic Remontada Padel, as well as several running events, among them GSC Run Set & Match.

The race offers a chance to discover Roland-Garros, a venue that is usually difficult for the general public to access. For the 10K, the stadium will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., making room for a full day of running, entertainment and good times. Participants can take part in the race and enjoy the venue itself. Supporters are not forgotten either, with entry tickets available for those who are not racing. Friends and family can join the celebrations and make the most of the many activities on offer.

A packed programme

A broad range of activities and food options will be available throughout the event. Children’s races will be held around the central Court Philippe-Chatrier. Numerous activations, some in partnership with the French Tennis Federation, will keep the festivities moving. In the “Court” area, participants can try urban tennis, a modern and relaxed take on the sport, as well as mini-tennis, ideal for beginners of all ages to enjoy with family or friends.

Wheelchair tennis will also offer an introduction to an inclusive and inspiring discipline. The event will provide privileged access to Roland-Garros’s most iconic spaces, from Court Philippe-Chatrier to the stadium museum and the behind-the-scenes areas, which can be explored on guided tours. “This year, we’ll be one month on from the tournament final, so the behind-the-scenes tours should be especially popular, David Donnely says. We’ve put together a wide range of activities for the occasion, with something for every age and every interest”.

Other activities will take the form of challenges in the venue’s most emblematic spaces. In the “Run” area, the Vertical Run, a timed race up the stairs of the central court, was already a major hit at the previous edition. There will also be the Flash Run, a timed 100-metre dash along one of the walkways for anyone looking to test their sprint speed.

The “Break” area will be dedicated to recovery, wellbeing and socialising, with food trucks, bars, ice baths, massages and compression therapy available. A DJ set and outdoor games including Mölkky and Spikeball will round out the programme.

New features and a title partner

This year, the event is moving from October to July. Beyond the date change, one new feature in particular should appeal to runners and their families. “There will be an exceptional finish-line refreshment station on the fourth floor of Court Philippe-Chatrier, on the courts surrounding the central court. The view of the Eiffel Tower will be incredible, making for a memorable post-race photo for everyone”, adds the RNK co-founder. Some 20,000 participants and supporters are expected for this new edition.

Another major change for the event is the arrival of a title partner, GSC. “We’re delighted to be part of the naming trend, which is becoming increasingly common in running, David Donnely says. It shows the interest in and appeal of this distinctive race, which is establishing itself among the Paris region’s road-running events. We’re becoming one of the benchmark 10Ks in the Paris area”, says the RNK co-founder.

GSC is a non-profit association specialising in insurance for entrepreneurs. These workers, who do not have unemployment cover, face risks linked to the development of their business and professional situation. They are therefore less protected than employees. GSC enables entrepreneurs to insure themselves against potential setbacks in their professional journey, giving them the cover they need to focus on growing their business with greater peace of mind.

“This partnership marks their first step into sports sponsorship. The aim is to raise awareness of their offering among entrepreneurs, because we jointly felt that our audience matched the target for Run Set & Match: the event’s participants and followers, the specialist explains. It’s much more than a race; it’s an immersion in the stadium, with key moments throughout the day, and they connected with that idea. Brand activations will shape the day, and we’ll develop a range of communications around the event before, during and after it to explain their different offerings.”

A vision of running on the rise

RNK wants to support the powerful professionalisation of running at every level. “We’re moving from a very grassroots world towards one that is becoming increasingly structured”, argues David Donnely, who makes no secret of the agency’s ambition to be part of running’s growth.

We’re moving forward carefully and progressively, learning as we develop our events. We want to improve over time and bring our own personal touch, particularly through special experiences such as GSC Run Set & Match, which aim to be more than just a race.

➜ The official GSC Run Set & Match website