‘Homelessness in Dublin has changed quite a bit since our first run' - Friends in their seventies celebrate 30th year of charity run

For two Dubliners in their seventies, a 5k run to help end homelessness has become a 30-year-old tradition in their friendship. Paul Blake-Knox and Bill Colman have been participants in Dublin Simon Community's Home Run race since 1996. 'It's like our Olympics,' says Paul Blake-Knox, a Blackrock native who used to work in finance. 'Since our first Home Run, the event, like homelessness in Dublin, has changed quite a bit. So, I like the idea of contributing to Dublin Simon in some small way.' According to the Dublin Simon Community, there were 2,501 people experiencing homelessness in Ireland when the duo first began competing in Home Run back in the nineties. Now over 17,000 people are without a home. Among them, 12,000 are from Dublin alone. 'You can't equate what's happening today to the nineties,' said Bill Colman a former shipping worker from South Circular Road. 'Homelessness was there, but it wasn't at the forefront and certainly not on the same scale.' The pair have been running together since 1976 having both competed in the second and third editions of the Dublin City Marathon. 'We chat our way around the 5k, and it makes it go faster. Without that, it would make it much tougher,' Mr Colman added. The Home Run race will begin at 9:30am at Phoenix Park on October 3 this year. 'Bill and Paul represent everything that makes Home Run so special,' says Eamon Sharkey, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Dublin Simon Community. 'For 30 years, they've laced up their runners, encouraged others around them to do the same and, in the process, helped raise vital funds to help address homelessness in Dublin. 'As stalwarts of the annual run, I want to thank them for their continued support and dedication, showing us all how important community action is. I wish them the best of luck in their 30th race.' The race will be run through a 5K loop around the park with people invited to walk, run, stroll or wheel their way through the course. All proceeds from the run will go directly towards Dublin Simon's services including emergency accommodation, outreach, treatment, counselling and long-term housing. Last year, the charity saw close to 1,500 people register for the race.