It was glorious Yorkshire Marathon Day. A day people count down all year for. Wait up all night in anticipation for. A day of greats, of victories, swollen knees and sweaty faces.

The weather Gods were smiling down on us. It was a crisp and sunny morning. The Goodgymmer’s came rolling in two by two hurrah hurrah! Some of a bit more cheery than others…

As Chief today, I knew I needed to motivate everyone with the lure of points. The rules were: impress me and you get points, be sassy with me and you’ll soon see those points tumbling away!

After a brief briefing - where we found out there were no bacon sandwiches on the way - we got to work. Everyone pitched in, carrying the water, stacking it on the tables, opening the lids ready for the runners. We were quick. Well some of us were quicker than others. Jane was a pro at flipping the lids, but she mocked my lip flipping skills which lost her many many points. Hannah and Jenna had lid flipping tips so they were +15 each! Laura was quietly efficient, +10!

We were so quick at the prep, there was even time for a few shop runs for pain au chocolates in lieu of the bacon sarnies. Max delivered the first round and then Nick came with the bakery goods. This earned them both 30 points!

Then the countdown to the first runners was getting closer. We discussed tactics, we checked our reserves, we got into formation. Nick had the good intentions of bringing a speaker (+20) but alas, the speaker’s charge didn’t even last a whole song (-5).

Then the runners came, slow at first. The speedier, but still very polite and thankful, runners came through. Then it hit. Thousands of runners, desperate for our water, came pouring in. We couldn’t hand it out fast enough. We couldn’t restock. It was chaos! Max turned into a genuinely helpful goodgymmer and replenished our water reserves so fast (+20)!

I was pulled away from the action to help an injured runner and missed all the fun. Leanne described it as “the most chaotic ever!” So everyone can have +50 for being superstars during the madness.

Some respite came soon after where we got into some water fights. Ed lost most his points at this stage. Rule of life: never anger the Point Giver-Outer. Lionel won many many points for having my back.

Final Points Tally: 1. Jane: -80 (far too sassy!) 2. Ed: -33 (work ethic was sub optimal. Also attacked me with water!) 3. Helen: -13 (disobeyed orders!!) 4. Paul Kelly: +15 (obeyed my orders, even if reluctantly) 5. Leanne: +20 (there was a lot of sass, but general work ethic was good) 6. Neil: +64 (is married to someone cooking me a roast) 7. Laura: +72 (for being clever with blister plasters!) 8. Hayden: +77 (the sun god) 9. Nicky: +83 (star helper) 10. Lisa: +94 (It was lovely to meet you, but minus points for being related to James.. sorry!) 11. Rebecca: +97 (efficiency pro) 12. Emma: +99 (water queen!) 13. Max: +101 (gave me food!) 14. Amy: +102 (extra points for being an Acorn) 15. Nick: +103 (gave me better food!) 16. Hannah: +104 (great lid flipping tips) 17. Jenna: +107 (also good lid flipping) 18. Sam: +112 (Acorn and defended my honour) 19. Vicky: +146 (is currently cooking me a roast dinner so I have to be nice) 20. Lionel: +1063 (THE LEGEND)

We met bright and early at the Knavesmire to get our high-vis and instructions for this popular and scenic 10k. Welcome to James, doing his first Goodgym task!

After walking to our assigned marshall points, our main job was to cheer and encourage, keeping a careful eye our for familiar faces in the crowds of runners - well done to Cara, Steve, Vicky, Kit, Charlotte, Carys and Rebecca for their fantastic running!

As usual Goodgym was supporting the first Water Station on the Run for All Yorkshire Marathon and 10 mile (at mile 3). We arrived at 8 for the briefing before spending the net 45mins opening thousands of bottles ready for the runners. The marathon runners started coming through soon after 9:45 with the 10 mile runners from soon after 10:30. Despite getting squirted by some of the faster runners grabbing bottles at speed we didn't let the water dampen our spirits as we handed out water and opened bottles at speed for the next hour and a half. We get cleared up quickly ready for the trucks to collect the waste and tables, rescuing as much water as we could.

We all had a very early start at 8am to set up the water station for the marathon and ten mile run.

After our briefing we got the table set up with lots of opened bottles of water. The marathoners came through first and kept us very busy, before a lull when we restocked ready for the ten milers.

By the time the next group came the heavens had opened but our spirits were not dampened as we had many goodgymers, from York and beyond, to spot and cheer on.

Once the last few passed we helped to tidy up then headed our separate ways.

It was lovely to welcome some visiting goodgymers too, who csme along to help. Thank you SarahGeraldine

Clare, Martin and vicky met at 7.15 to help with the York 10k. We were based in race HQ and assigned the task of giving out race numbers, selling T-shirts and general enquiries! After a slow start it got very busy towards race start time and then again afterwards selling T-shirts. We wrapped up around midday and headed home with our goody bags and volunteer tops. A great event, enjoyed by thousands of runners and walkers.

14 brilliant GoodGymmers, accompanied by a brilliant dog and child, took on our annual task of running the mile 3 water station for the Yorkshire marathon and 10 mile race.

It’s always a lovely day and this was no exception. The sun was shining, though the temperature was a tad chilly.

We gathered bright and early and started unscrewing the lids of MANY bottles of water. Some people had special (mostly gardening) gloves, whilst others were lucky enough to use a special tool (until it got broken...) Either way, many bottles were opened, and blisters gained in the process.

It was soon time for the race to commence so we looked keenly for the first participant, with various people vying to be the one to give out the first bottle.

With a blurry flurry of runners, that was the marathon done. It was then time to get ready for the 10- mile race. Time for more bottle cap- unscrewing (and more blisters) before the next team ran through.

We were thrilled to spot some GGs in both the marathon and 10-mile races and gave them some extra-loud cheers (along with cheering everyone else of course).

A similar battle ensued as to who could give the last bottle out and with that accomplished, it was time to pack up and head to the Govers' for some much-needed warmth, tea and cake.

Thank you everyone, and a huge well done to all the runners too - what a bunch of heroes!