Dublin Simon Home Run:
40 Years of Movement
We are calling on as many people as possible to join the movement by walking, jogging, running or rolling in the Phoenix Park (Papal Cross) at 9.30am on Saturday October 7th, to show solidarity with the record-breaking number of people experiencing homelessness today.
For 40 years, the Dublin Simon Home Run has been pivotal in raising funds to provide emergency response, wraparound supports and forever homes to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Dublin and the surrounding counties, supporting 1,522 adults and children to move out of homelessness and providing forever homes for 857 people in 2021.
The Dublin Simon Home Run began as a 5-mile route, which has remained the same over the last 40 years and today amounts to approximately eight kilometers. While we hope this unique route length will be attractive to runners and joggers eager to test their limits, we would like to emphasise the event as a movement open to people of all abilities. At the start line, participants can choose to follow signs for “runners”, “joggers” or “walkers”. Previous years have seen schools, walking clubs, parents with buggies, wheelchair users, elite runners, active retirement groups, corporate teams and many more all take part.
Family members and friends can cheer participants on from the sidelines, or meet them afterwards in the Dublin Simon tented village, which will feature food trucks, children’s entertainment and live music.
Registration is now live and costs €15 as part of the earlybird offer until August 31st and €20 thereafter. Participants will also have the option upon registering to purchase the limited edition 40th Anniversary Dublin Simon Home Run t-shirt for an additional €15 or pay €5 for a lucky dip of past Home Run t-shirts.
All funds raised by the Dublin Simon Home Run will support our life-saving services which help vulnerable people in our community to close the door on homelessness for good.
Getting there
Punctuality:
Punctuality is vital if the Home Run is to be a success. The Home Run is a professionally organised main road race and will start at 9:30am sharp.
Parking:
Parking will be located at:
- Full details of available parking will be confirmed closer to the event date. Please check the OPW website for up-to-date information regarding parking availability and restrictions within Phoenix Park.
Do not park on the route of the race or at the entrances/properties in the park, please adhere to all restrictions.
Directions:
- By Car: Preferred entrance through Parkgate Street / Castleknock Gate
- By Foot: Through the Chapelizod Gate.
Public Transport:
- Bus Routes to the Phoenix Park: C5, C6, 26, 46A, 69
- Luas: Red Line to Heuston Station, then 10 minute walk to Parkgate street entrance, and 15 minute walk to Phoenix Monument – warm up done! Please give yourself an adequate amount of time to get to the festival village.
Road Closures:
- Road closures for this year TBC before the event.
About the course
The Distance: 5 Miles – 8.04672 km
The course is for any runners, joggers, walkers, people in wheelchairs, people with buggies, and everyone in between!
- First Mile
The Home Run starts approximately a ½ mile from the Papal Cross down Acres Road and heads towards the Phoenix Monument. It takes a left turn at the Phoenix Monument and heads up the Main Road (Chesterfield Avenue) towards Mountjoy Cross. The first mile is very flat with a very slight incline. Your only real enemy here might be wind or rain.
- Second Mile
The Home Run then progresses to Mountjoy Cross and takes a left onto Survey Road. Again, this part of the course is flat with no hills in sight!
- Third Mile
The road naturally progresses along Corkscrew Road and heads towards Chapelizod Gate. This part of the course is flat at the start of Mile 2 to downhill on passing Mile 3. It is by far the fastest part of the course, but don’t be fooled, what goes down must eventually go up! Enjoy the downhill but reserve your strength for the last 2 miles.
- Fourth Mile
Starts downhill from the entrance to the Cheshire Home, veers left and progresses along St Mary’s Avenue, where a Water Station is located.
- Fifth Mile
As stated earlier you are proceeding downhill at a rapid pace when you turn left onto the Kyber Road. Wheelchairs be careful as the bend is a sharp left and your speed will be at maximum here! Taking the left here leads you gently along the Kyber Pass which steadily proceeds uphill all the way up to the finish line at the triangle opposite the Papal Cross. This is a tough finish as the last ¾ mile is a steady uphill incline.
FAQ’s
Q: When is Home Run taking place?
A: 7th October 2023
Q: Where can I register?
A: Registration is online here
Q: What time is the race?
A: Race starts at 9.30am sharp
Q: Where is the Run located?
A: Papal Cross, Phoenix Park. The start line is on the Acres Road just past the Papal cross, and registration is at the Papal Cross triangle. The course is a loop and the finish area is also located at the triangle.
Q: What is the route?
A: The race takes a five mile (8k) route through Phoenix Park, starting on Acres Road, turning left down Chesterfield Avenue, with the final mile up Khyber Road to the finish line. This route is exclusive to our race, no other race takes this route around the park.
Q: Who can participate in the Home Run?
A: Home Run is for everyone! We welcome elite runners, runners, joggers, walkers, buggy pushers, wheel chair users and you can even take part with your dog!
Q: How much does registration cost?
A: The cost of participation is €20 + processing fee (€2.50). There is an early bird of €15 if you register before the 31st of August 2023. This includes the race, timing chip, and a medal. You can purchase a special edition Home Run 40th year running top for €15 at the time of registration. There is a lucky dip of past Home Run running tops for €5 each.”
Q: How is my time measured?
A: Our race is professionally chip timed. The chip is embedded in each runner’s race number, which will be posted to them before the race. Late registrants can collect their race number on the day. Each runner’s will receive their time via email shortly after the race.
Q: Where is the disabled access?
A: The site is accessible for people with a physical disability. If you think you might have have special requirements, please let us know by emailing events@dubsimon.ie
Q: Will water be provided during and after the race?
A: There will be a water stop halfway around the course and drinking water available at the finish line for runners.
Q: Will there be music?
A: There will be musical entertainment at the festival area at the finish line.
Q: Will there be toilets?
A: There will be toilet facilities onsite.
Q: What if I need medical attention?
A: Code Blue will be on site for the duration of the event.
Q: Can I register in person, on the day?
A: You can register on the day at a cost of €25 per runner.
Q: Will there be parking?
A: There will be road closures in place to facilitate the race. Parking details will be available closer to the date.
Q: Will there be road closures?
A: Road closures and traffic diversions will be in place for the duration of the race. These are detailed on the signage on each gate of the park.
Q: Can I volunteer at the Home Run?
A: We welcome anyone who would like to volunteer as a race steward. Please contact our team at events@dubsimon.ie
Q: What I just want to watch the race?
A: Family and friends are encouraged to come and support the runners. After they have cheered them on, they can avail of the entertainment in the festival village.
Q: How can I sponsor a runner?
A: You can support a runner by visiting their iDonate page or going to the Home Run page here.
Tips for race day
Do’s:
- Have a light breakfast on the morning of the Home Run.
- Arrive early and relax.
- Stretch your calf muscles before the start (straight legs, try to touch the floor).
- Light, easy warm up before the start.
- Get into the time zone that suits you (i.e. 25-40 minutes, 40-50 minutes, 50+ minutes).
- Start slow and get into your natural running speed.
- Walk if you get a stitch.
- Bring a small bottle of water, sip slowly, do not gulp.
- Have fun en route and enjoy the experience.
- Remember the start of the Home Run is 700 metres from the tent village/registration area – allow 15 minutes before the 9.30am start time to walk to the start line and take your place at the starting line.
Don’t’s:
- Do not go to the front line unless you are a serious runner. You will be blown away at the start and 5 miles is a long way if you start too fast – relax!
- Do not over do the warm up. Easy warm-up is best.
- Do not over drink water before the run. It will lodge in your stomach; sip slowly!
Our focus on sustainability
- This year’s running shirts are produced from recycled water bottles
- The Medals for the participants are made from wood, harvested from sustainably-managed forests
- Lanyards for the medals are produced from recycled plastic
Home Run 2023
If you would like to take part in ways other than racing, you can volunteer to be one of our amazing race stewards on the day. Fill out your details below and we will be in touch.