Fabulously sunny morning down at the Fields.

Sooz, Sarah and Hilary made great headway on setting up the course and coordinating local volunteers for help - ensuring the full route was marshalled safely.

Hilary took charge of the young Duke of Edinburgh volunteers, securing the all important finish zone with expert timekeeping to ensure every one of the 36 runners received their position and time.

Sarah took up position on her favourite tree 🌳 and then they were off.

All finished and packed away in less than 40 minutes - a swift and wholesome start to any Sunday morning.

Today’s stats: 🏃🏽 36 parkrunners in total 🏆 13 of today’s runners achieved a personal best 4️⃣ newcomers came, including 2 tourists all the way from Edinburgh.

At the end of this morning's session, as we were packing everything up, and a small industrious team of little volunteers were token sorting on the ground, Run Director Rue turned to us and said he was a bit disappointed as he'd expected today's turnout to be "closer to 50"...you know you're in extremely tough company when today's actual total of 47 enthusiastic runners doesn't meet the RD's clearly very high expectations on turnout...!!

At 0855 today we had one runner, and about 6 volunteers, and were wondering what we would do if that proved to be today's turnout...but as the minutes ticked towards 9 the crowds appeared from all directions, and we definitely had a parkrun to organise. After a few callouts to the crowd for last minute Marshalls and a Tail Walker, we had all the essential volunteer roles filled and were good to go.

Rue led his now infamous (I'm sure this is what draws the crowd...) Hackney Haka as the warmup act, and it was impressive to see how many of the junior runners now know all the moves by heart, before timekeeper Johnny set them off on 2 laps around the sunny Fields. Marshall Nick briefly had to step in as Tail Walker when a large gap appeared after the final runner, but it transpired that the actual Tail Walker was doing his job perfectly by stopping to check on the welfare of one of our first timers...and soon caught up the back of the pack once again.

Another close finish for the top two positions (separated by just 2 seconds), and then a steady stream of happy faces appeared in the finish funnel - the spring like conditions (and the dried out mud) clearly were inspiring as we had 14 PB's...Rue was probably thinking it should have been at least 20... See you next week for more fun at the Fields.

The Ides of March may be a time for Caesar to beware, but for 50 of our fearless junior runners, there was nothing to fear only lots of fun! This morning, Good Gym was delighted to head to London Fields to support the junior parkrun, and what a spectacular way to spend a spring morning it was too.

With the sun shining brightly, our junior legends lined up, ready to take on the 2k course. It was one of the best spring days we have had so far, and the atmosphere matched. A huge welcome went out to our five first times who opened their running accounts with us. The regulars made sure they felt part of the team, giving them a warm and enthusiastic reception.

It could not have happened without the contributions of the our volunteers, from Good Gym Rue got everyone in the zone by leading the pre-run Hackney Haka. It was met with a lot of enthusiasm. Sarah took up her prime position at "Sarah's Tree," offering high-fives and encouragement to every runner as they powered past. Hilary was our rock at the most crucial spot on the course, maintaining perfect order and safety at the junction (Marshal Point 1).

We were also thrilled to see the spirit of teamwork extend to the parents, with several jumping in to help cover other marshal points around the course. Meanwhile, our enthusiastic Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) crew were absolute professionals, expertly managing the finish line with timing, handing out tokens, and ensuring every barcode was scanned.

And the results? Well, they speak for themselves! Perhaps it was the spring sunshine, the Haka, or the cheering, but an amazing 15 personal bests were smashed this morning!

A massive well done to every single runner who took part. You are all superstars. Good Gym is proud to have been part of your Sunday morning mission.

Same time, same place next week? We wouldn't miss it

An excellent turnout on the volunteer front to support 46 enthusiastic junior runners this morning at a still muddy, and slightly misty, London Fields - but thankfully the rain stayed away. The slippery conditions underfoot didn't seem to trouble our first three finishers, who ran as a pack the whole way round, and only the finishing sprint down the home straight separated them by just a few seconds...exciting stuff. Lots of (slightly breathless) happy faces then followed them into the finish funnel, setting 9 PBs between them - great work.

Twelve first timers joined us this morning on what was our second biggest attendance of the year, and thankfully our team of 16 volunteers, which included GoodGymmers Rue, Hilary, Bea, Louise, Sarah, Chandrima and Nick, did a great job of ensuring everything ran smoothly for another week - thank you all.

Same time next week under the big tree for more fun at the Fields.

An almost GoodGym takeover made life easy for this week’s junior parkrun at the Fields.

With a full house on the roster, and newcomer Kim joining the ranks, the team made swift work with the set up.

Simon, Harvey, Sooz and Kim set about laying the course on one side of the fields, whilst Sarah completed the opposite side.

Sooz led the warm up and welcomed a lot of new parkrunners!

As timekeeper, Louise counted down 3-2-1 and they were off - heading up the opening straight to Lucinda then onto Harvey. Sarah, Simon and Kim kept the runners going all the way round both laps with lots of encouragement.

40 incredible youngsters made it round today including 13 newcomers and setting 4 new personal best times. Thanks to all the GoodGym volunteers for making it happen!

What connects today's top 3 finishers, 13 of the 23 runners, and 7 of the 12 volunteers...

If today's run title didn't give it away, then I'll provide the answer...they were all female.

Parkrun really is a great leveller in so many different ways, and long may it continue to encourage anyone and everyone to participate, even on a rainy and muddy February morning at the Fields.

Thanks very much to today's GoodGym "regulars" - Hilary, Louise, Lucinda, Rue and Nick, as well as our three DoE volunteers, and everyone else who donned the Hi Viz for another successful morning of slip sliding around the course by our 23 intrepid junior runners.