and so does Worthing GoodGym. 14 goodgymers volunteered to support the 692 parkrun finishers as March arrived bringing with it the feeling that spring may actually be here.

It’s a set up

Sue A, under the close supervision of John, arrived nice and early to help with set up. Poles hammered in, rope and tape installed, it was time for Sue to cast her GoodGym top aside and display her running club allegiance.

Showing the way

There were three GoodGym Marshals out on the course. Ricky found a position along the prom to cheer and support the runners. Paula and Barbara were given bright yellow signs to take out marshalling, basically warning the general public to exercise caution in their vicinity.

Ropey start

No, not Belinda’s RD missive. John P, Daisy, Anne and Sue held the rope that separates parkrunners from those who haven’t found parkrun yet!

Run director, run

It was reported that Belinda’s dulcet tones could be heard from quite a distance away today. It was just at the start she couldn’t be heard due to the constant chat of eager parkrunners who feel they’ve ‘heard it all before’. Belinda took the opportunity to share all about GoodGym and how it contributes to the local community, as well as having fun and getting fit. There was a special shoutout to John P who was volunteering at parkrun for the 25th time. Although not a GoodGymer, we are all very fond of John P. We only have as many socials in the pub as we do because then we get to see John P who is often tempted along to join us.

More than a token gesture

Belinda took the opportunity to spread concern by encouraging Anne in her belief that the tokens may run out. Frankly, we’ve no idea why Anne was concerned - surely if they did run out she would be quick enough to catch up!

As time goes by

One of our elder statesmen, Paul, oversaw the finish line. Clicking his ticker at every passing pair of feet.

Funnel

There was no ducking responsibility for Sue W on funnel management, and no funnel ducking allowed. There is a perverse pleasure in watching an exhausted runner stagger over the finish line to be told to keep on moving through the never-ending funnel created earlier by John and Sue A.

Breaking the Barcode

Roxy, who took a pause in her long, long, run attended the Daisy school of barcode scanning in order to be ready for the steady onslaught of runners finish tokens being thrust eagerly towards them.

Run baby, run….

Sue A, Ryan, Sarah and Craig who ran as well as volunteering were joined on the course by Jay with his juggernaut, Olivia filled, buggy. Gill, as often happens, ran amongst the throng chatting with her running pals.

Post event clowning

As usual when Sarah, Ryan and Craig contribute to closedown they turned the finish area into their own personal playground. No flagfighting this time, just competitive banner folding. Who won? There is no result, the banner remains unfolded.

Taking the biscuit

Results were processed supported by hot chocolate and biscuits. John and Ricky were happy to take responsibility for biscuit demolition whilst Belinda ensured the 692 runners got their correct times.

Half the battle

Our local parkrun is finding it increasingly difficult to fill the roster each week. On a normal Saturday (that is, one that doesn’t happen to be pre half marathon rest day for many) with 14 GoodGymers we would have filled half the roster. Let’s see if we can do even better next month. And don’t forget, parkrun volunteering isn’t just available on our monthly GoodGym promotion occasions.

The final Saturday of the January Challenge saw Worthing GoodGym well represented at our local parkrun. Two volunteering, and five running the course racking up those essential kilometres. We are so close to hitting our target.

Hip, hip, hip. Hooray!

Only Me

This is week three of our January GoodGym support month for parkrun. Unusually, with Belinda off on a clandestine, top secret mission, I ventured down to parkrun alone assisting in the finish funnel setup. After the funnel was set and chatting all things GoodGym with anyone who was interested I headed off to the start.

Please tell

What! You don't want to hear about my morning?You want me to tell you what Belinda was up to? I can't! It's top secret! Oh, go on then...........

A secret spilled

It started with a pre 5am alarm. A quick check on current travel conditions allowed a half hour snooze to be initiated. Once up and ready Belinda headed out to her car and set off in the direction of

(sorry you have exceeded the maximum length of report permitted)

January Saturdays have become parkrun support days for Worthing GoodGym. Today saw six of us turning out in the cold to support with setup, barcode scanning, number checking and Tail Walking.

Wedded bliss

Of the set up three, two knew they had volunteered, but one who wasn't so sure declared “I guess this is what married life will be like”! Our two GoodGym tailwalkers on the other hand squabbled like they’d been married for years.

Getting Going

On setup we had three GoodGymers. With limited damage to equipment and minimal supervision necessary Sarah and Ryan set up the finish funnel and erected the flag.

What a nit!

Paul had prepared properly for his number checking role wearing a hat he had knitted himself. The hidden talents of our GoodGym friends never ceases to amaze.

Not a time keeper

Slightly less well prepared late arrival Anne was fortunately on barcode scanning, so tardiness was of little concern. In fact Anne may have demonstrated a level of wiseness way above the rest of us. She spent less time out in the cold.

A rather feathery tail

Gulliver, the Worthing parkrun mascot, had offered to tailwalk with the capable, nay outstandingly able, support team of John and Belinda - the latter forced out of her wheelchair so that Gulliver could travel in style.

Running the distance

Ryan and Sarah ran the course, joined by Jay meaning we racked up another 25K towards the January challenge. How's that for a maths puzzle?

Making the finish line

Not the parkrun finish, the finish of this run report! If you’ve made it this far, well done. The important news to share here is that one of the six volunteers celebrated their 300th Good Deed today. Well, not exactly celebrated. More just got on with things as normal. Monday is the right time to celebrate.

As we do every year, GoodGym provided support for the first Worthing parkrun of the 2025. Assistance was provided with set up and take down, with Belinda directing proceedings from her chair.

On a day when the sun and rain were determinedly trying (and sadly failing) to create a rainbow, John and Belinda headed out to support our local Pride parkrun. On the day of Worthing Pride we always try to bring as much colour to the promenade as we can - a fitting precursor, we hope, to the popular parade. With Sue, Paul and John running GoodGym was well represented today.