Tensions are high as Tim Blackmore prepares to run the New York City Marathon this weekend, his first. The 42-year-old US Marine Corps veteran aims to finish in under three hours, a benchmark only a small percentage of marathoners achieve, reports BritPanorama.
Blackmore’s journey to the starting line on Staten Island is remarkable. After facing significant personal challenges, including the death of his mother in 2023, he struggled with alcohol and cocaine use, leading him to live in a shelter on Manhattan’s Lower East Side for the past year.
“Basically, I walked away from my job in Long Island. I walked away from my apartment, and I just didn’t really have anything left,” he explained. Blackmore attempted recovery several times, eventually enrolling in a detox program and moving into a shelter that supports people in recovery in 2025. It was here that he found Back on My Feet, a nonprofit which uses running to help individuals experiencing homelessness.
Since joining the program, Blackmore ran nearly every day. Now employed as a union laborer, he continues to run about three times a week for his mental health and marathon training. His twin brother, Daniel, has also joined him in training and now volunteers with the organization. Within months, he accomplished a half marathon, and Back on My Feet sponsored his entry into this year’s NYC Marathon, recognizing his commitment as one of its most dedicated members. Nine others affiliated with the nonprofit are also participating, including four current residents of shelters.
Running and resilience
For individuals experiencing homelessness, incorporating exercise can appear to be a luxury. However, experts suggest that the benefits of exercise extend far beyond just physical fitness. Dr. Amy J. Kemter, a therapist who co-authored a 2022 study on running programs for those facing homelessness and addiction, notes that running fosters strength, confidence, and community connections.
Blackmore expressed how running has changed his perspective: “To know that you’re good at something that’s really hard has really put so much more confidence in me for other hard things in my life,” he stated, highlighting improved accountability in both his personal and professional life.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Dwayne Ferguson from Brooklyn is also gearing up for his first marathon, aiming primarily to finish. He is the first of his friends to attempt the challenge and receives both support and friendly jests from them.
Currently staying with his girlfriend’s family since a recent disagreement left him without a home, Ferguson appreciates their hospitality. However, the crowded living situation and occasional tension have not been easy. He learned about the marathon through Next PAGE, a creative writing program that connects youth in detention with mentors. The program’s founder, Emily Palmer, motivated him to enter the race, facilitating connections with a running group, Harlem Run, which sponsored his registration.
Why physical activity matters
Jo Dawes, a physiotherapist at University College London, suggests that physical activity should not be overlooked for those facing homelessness. Her research found that exercise can bolster health, foster social connections, and help instill a sense of achievement.
While the marathon serves as a critical milestone for both Blackmore and Ferguson, it also stands as a testament to their ongoing journeys. Blackmore is preparing to move into his own apartment soon, setting his sights on an ultramarathon, while Ferguson is eager to further his education by attending college.
Ferguson articulated his desire to inspire others: “I like to inspire people to do more, not only for others but for themselves. So running, I would like for them to see that as, ‘Oh, he’s running. Maybe I could, you know, do something that I like to do.’” The finish line may mark an end to the marathon, but for both men, it also symbolizes the beginning of new opportunities.
