Homeless man running San Francisco marathon for charity

"When people see me, they just see a runner. They don't see me as a person that's homeless."

Self-taught artist and runner Ronnie Goodman runs 5 to 15 miles a day.

"I might run for two hours," he said in an inspiring video about why he runs. "And I'm a free person for those two hours."

At night, the 53-year-old San Francisco man sleeps under the freeway.

On July 27, in what might be a first for a homeless runner, Goodman will be running the second half of the San Francisco Marathon to raise funds and awareness for Hospitality House and its Community Arts Program that changed his life.

"I'm not really looking for anything from anyone — just keeping myself focused and appreciating what is good in life," Goodman told the San Francisco Chronicle earlier this year as he laced up his shoes for his daily run. "And there is so much that is good."

After "a very long battle" with drugs and alcohol — and a six-year stint in prison for burglary — Goodman successfully completed rehab five years ago.

Goodman discovered a love of art through Hospitality House's Community Art Program, and took art classes at City College of San Francisco, devoting himself to his craft. His "breathtaking" paintings are for sale at a local gallery.

He told Runners World he has access to showers and laundry facilities at a local shelter, and has several options for getting free, healthy meals.

"I really don't want too much. I just wanna get up, stay healthy, just enjoy this moment right here. Every runner wants that," he said in the video promoting his run.

"Ronnie has had a hard life, but he has overcome so many of his obstacles and he wants to overcome the rest of them by himself," Goodman's friend Michael Brown said. "I respect that. Some people never learn from their mistakes. But he has."

When the San Francisco Chronicle first shared Goodman's story this spring, readers stepped up to buy Goodman new running shoes and cover the cost of his entry into the race.

One reader even bought a painting from him.

Shortly after the article came out, SF Marathon organizers asked Goodman to partner with them.

"We reached out to Ronnie to see what he thought about working with us," Lark Ryan, a spokesperson for SF Marathon, told NBC San Diego. "He came up with the idea of creating a painting and starting a raffle."

"Since he’s evolved through the Hospitality House, it’s great he wants to help his community," he added. "This is the first time we have helped a homeless runner set up a program like this."

"Ronnie was really specific in saying he doesn’t really want the handouts, he wants to be able to help the community that has helped him get established again," Ryan told Runners World.

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An original work of art by Goodman is being raffled off, with the goal of raising $25,000 for Hospitality House. Tickets are just $10.

"It has been a big part of my life — I'm happy to be able to give back," Goodman said.

"I'm very excited, and it's very touching at the same time, because I'm doing two things that I really love doing," he told Runner’s World Newswire.

During the race, Goodman, who is currently on a waiting list to receive subsidized housing, will run past the art studio where he currently creates his art.

"The whole event is going to be emotional. Everything," said Goodman.