For the fifth in the GoodGym Race Team 2019 'Big-Six' series over a hundred GoodGym runners came from across the country from Newcastle, Sheffield, Cardiff, Portsmouth, London, Swindon and a few other places in-between to the South West for the Bath Two tunnels race and a GG South West summer party.

Summary

There are loads of photos here, and a brief description below to make sense of the images:

parkrun

The weekend started at Somerdale Pavilion parkrun where runners both marshalled and ran the crazy 'curly wurly' course, the sight or #redthunder flooded across the course was lovely, it was agreed that trying to describe the course is nearly impossible it just needs to be run/walked to be enjoyed.

River Run

A few runners then enjoyed a trail run along the River Avon from the parkrun to the community mission, although the heat and owing to a few people not reading the event description it was tougher than some thought. but the joy on Dharmesh’s face when he saw bits of countryside was lovely "oooo a duck!".

Community mission

Next a GoodGym weekend would not be complete without a good deed (or a double deed day for the parkrun High-Vis Heroes) So we convened on Bramble Hill farm which would be our venue for the party, but we had to earn those burgers first! Therefore Chris (GG Bristol founder) set us all to work, weeding, watering and digging whilst we all talked to other GoodGym members from across the country. The sight of nearly a hundred GoodGym red t-shirts spread across the farm like a swarm of helpful locusts reminds us of the joys of GoodGym that many hands can achieve so, so much.

🎂Party Time

So, after the running and doing good, it was time to have the GG SW summer party and unlike last year the weather was in our favour with glorious sunshine!
So with the venue of the Northern Slopes (confusingly in the south of Bristol) and a backdrop of the Clifton suspension bridge (if you knew where to look) the party commenced with the running events of a Vertical 100m race (yes 100m of climbing) and 'what goes up must come down' therefore there was also the west country tradition of Cheese rolling down a hill with some crazy GoodGym runners chasing it (note the hill was not as steep as the real thing!)

Then it was time for a BBQ and general socialise plus the all-important Birthday cake judging.

After the food some further leisurely games were played including:

• Welly Wanging
  
• Three-legged race
  
• Wheelbarrow race
  
• Forward roll race
  
• Aesthetically pleasing forward-roll competition
  
• What's the time Mr Wolf?
  
• Bloody Knee - a Czech kid’s game
  

In addition, some relaxation was available including Goat Yoga and Pig-lattes.

Finally, it was also able to release some anger with a wet sponge throw and a Splat the Marrow game, special thanks to all whom volunteered to be sponge targets!

Race Day

Sunday was race day, and so the tonnes of #RedThunder pulled in to the Bath Two tunnels race station, with a multitude of options from 50K ultra, a 50K team relay option, a 10K, half or full marathon. Everybody had a race to suit them and a chance to challenge themselves.

There were so many achievements with race placings, Personal Bests and runners proving they were on track for an upcoming challenge, these included but are not limited to:
* GG Hammersmith and Fulham 50K mixed relay team - 1st place!
* Alex Moylett - 4th - Lady at Half Marathon
* Rich Dowling - 4th - Half Marathon
* David Ewans - 4th - Marathon

A few thanks and appreciation

Events like this weekend wouldn't be possible without a load of volunteers, so a quick note to say thanks to everyone who made this special weekend happen, from the organising team of the parkun takeover, the BBQ and party, the MC's the bakers, and the race logistics, the pub finders. Also, thanks to everyone who came and those cajoled and organised their fellow GoodGymers to come along too. It really wouldn't be the same without you all.
Matt

Thanks guys for organising today. You put a lot of effort into making it fun and memorable and it certainly was.
Ben

Thanks for a great day everyone.
See you tomorrow
💙 Team Portsmouth

Lovely to meet you all, looking forward to the next big GoodGym get together.
Sophie

Well done to everyone I know there were a lot of PBs 😃 love the two tunnels race!
Clo

Thanks to the organisers, the bakers, the bbq-ers, the farmers and of course the ever amazing support during the race. Safe travels home to those from further afield. (And happy birthday to Matt!).
Emma

What next?

• The next GG Race Team 'Big-6' is the [Scottish Half marathon and 10K (https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/scottish-half-marathon-and-10k)
• The next chance to cheer people on is at the Green Man ultra on Saturday 24th
• Cross country is coming, and the first race of the Gwent league is 12th October in Cardiff - other areas check locally for races.

Our final morning of mattress moving at City Church Bristol went as smoothly as ever. While waiting for the van we chatted and had fun playing and throwing the ball for a passing dog!

See you all for the penultimate shift tomorrow morning!

We were ready to get into it and do our thing, we were movin’ and doin’ it, shakin’ our arms and using our form, although we didn’t take them to the bridge, only into the church!

Stu thought we were serious when we told him to get on up so he could hear it like it did on the top, but we hit it and quit, right on, right on!

One, two, three, fourteen duvets and mattresses, all got on up! Come on!

Another new venue for mattress moving, this time City Church in Cotham!

As we waited for the van we chatted between ourselves and with the church volunteers. They were happy to have us helping out, particularly since one of their volunteers damaged their meniscus, and was trying to take it easy as a result.

Once the van arrived we got straight to work. When moving the duvets we started using the most spread out human chain we could have, with us practically chucking the duvets at each other! All in all, everything was done in no time and we headed off, pleased at yet another good morning.