An ex-prisoner turned professional triathlete from Dublin is organising a 5k fun run to prevent youths from getting involved in drug crime.
Runners of all abilities and their families will descend on Darndale Park for the second year in a row. The fun run will be on Saturday, April 29 at 11.00am. This event is for all, regardless of age or ability, and there will also be a 1K fun run at 11.15am for children under 13.
The fun run is part of a campaign organised by the community organisation Get The Message Out, which aims to steer local young people away from addiction and crime, as well as to support those determined to exit that lifestyle. Local man Ger Redmond was become an ambassador after he turned his life around with the help of sport and fitness following the birth of his son.
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Mr Redmond added that the event has the capacity to influence lives. He said: "Sport is a wonderful way to heal both the physical and mental. This event is growing, and I hope it will form part of the community calendar for many years to come. I would love to see it leading to the formation of a club which would see locals come together to run, jog or walk, discuss their lives and achieve goals they never thought possible."
This is the second year the ex-prisoner is organising the run, with last year's inaugural event being marked as "an outstanding success" and attracting hundreds of runners of all ages.
Such events are needed to show communities affected by drugs that they are not forgotten, said Dr Jack Nolan, chair of the Darndale Economic and Social Plan implementation group. The group was initiated by Dublin City Council and its Implementation Oversight Group (IOG) is supported by the authority.
Dr Nolan also said: "The Get The Message Out Darndale Another Way 5K encourages people to consider a different way of life by highlighting opportunities, services and activities available to help them to reach their full potential."
All pre-registered finishing runners will receive a medal, a t-shirt and a goodie bag, along with contact information for the Get The Message out campaign, for those who may one day need it. Last year’s participants are encouraged to wear the t-shirt they received in 2022.
The campaign is also seeking to recruit volunteer stewards for the event. Those interested should email: ger.nolan@nspartnership.ie. For more information go to the official registration page.
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