Coolock Running Club’s ‘Another Way 5K’ attracted hundreds to Darndale Park.
This was the fourth year of the race, which highlights the availability of help for those involved with drugs and criminality and is part of a local campaign to ‘Get the Message Out’ on alternatives to addiction.
The Another Way 5K is a collaboration between Coolock Running Club, local community organisations, Get The Message Out and endurance athlete, Ger Redmond.
Running played a huge part in transforming his life after imprisonment for involvement with drugs.
The success of the event prompted Ger and his friend Anthony Brady to establish the club in 2023.
It is one of a number of projects backed by the Darndale Implementation Oversight Group, a Dublin City Council initiative to tackle complex and engrained issues in Darndale.
Group chair, Dr Jack Nolan, said such events are needed to show communities affected by drugs that they are not forgotten.
“Darndale Another Way 5K encourages people to consider a different way of life by highlighting opportunities, services and activities,” he said.
Coolock Running Club partnered with Active Cities Dublin for the event. Active Cities is funded by Sport Ireland through the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Other supporting organisations included: Archways Systemic Family Support, Northside Partnership, The Dales Centre, Sphere 17 Regional Youth Service, Slainte Care Healthy Communities, Dublin City Council Sport and Wellbeing, Dublin City Council North Central Area Office, Darndale Football Club and An Garda Síochána.
Coolock Running Club coach Greg O’Flaherty and dedicated volunteers have launched a new park run for children at the nearby Belcamp Park at 9.30am Sunday mornings.