A balmy mid-week July evening saw three valiant Goodgym runners participate in the Tony Barnes Memorial 5-mile Race, at Sefton Park, south Liverpool.

This run, organized by Mossley Hill Athletics Club, commemorates Tony's contribution to his running club and the wider running community, which remains highly regarded and fondly remembered.

The five (or was it 5 hundred?!) mile route welcomed approximately 200 runners in total, all stretched and set to take to the start line for 7.30pm.

Goodgym was represented by Bekah, Jess and Liam, a mighty trio of athletes, united in their upbeat determination to take on this challenging distance, even under the strong gaze of a golden late-day sun.

Dike, Liam, Dan and Steph clapped, whooped and cheered their support, as the field of runners completed the distance. The course twisted and turned along park paths, circling the large lake, before winding up to the finish, a final 200 metre stretch beyond the second full loop.

Sallyann and Siân added their support, as all three participants rose to the task of this Goodgym mission, crossing the finish line with strong performances each, showing notable swiftness, grit and bounce. Well done to all three, receiving commemorative mugs, certificates and a T-Shirt, for their efforts.

With the runners' pulses easing from their exertions, a Goodgym crowd gathered to further congratulate them and share in a celebratory picnic. Food and drink was spread out and shared, with Miriam and Ellie adding their enthusiasm to the post-race gathering.

Well done to each and every supporter for joining the event, adding their praise and positivity for the Goodgym runners, and all others taking part.

Food-wise, top-notch feast dishes included the (Chinese spice) salt and pepper sausage rolls (available in meat and veggie options) - thanks Bekah; inaugural home-made hummus with baked goods from a local bakery - thanks Siân; and divinely intense chocolate brownie squares of indulgence - thank you Steph's girlfriend 😋.

Distribution of leftovers and slick tidying up ensured our patch of grass at Sefton Park was left as spotless as when we arrived. Each Goodgymer dispersed to respective living quarters across Liverpool, as the sun dipped below the height of the trees.

And so the moonlight served to glow the runners and supporters safely home, tired and satisfied by the evening's warm success... "Da-da da da (Da-da da da) Da-da da da (Da-da da da) Da-da dum diddy dum diddy dum diddy da da da..."

The Everton Telegraph is a community newspaper produced three times a year. Good Gymers, along with some other local volunteers, helped to distribute the summer issue with John from the Everton community gardens.

Dike, Clara, Steph and I arrived early so we put inserts into the paper to tell everyone about Friday’s social at the community garden.

Dan, Sian and Sophie ran from Hope Street.

We were split into groups- Sophie and I, Bekah with Jess and Clara, Dan, Sian and Dike got driven away by John a bit further afield (but not as far as St Helen’s) and Steph and Sallyann stayed at the gardens to prepare them for Friday and do a bit of watering.

It was a balmy evening. We got a fantastic response from the locals when we delivered the paper. One recipient said ‘Just say it’s the Telegraph!’ Everyone was expecting it and some offered tips.

This week we returned to help Friend's of St James Gardens finish what we had previously started - clearing all the weeds from the paving around the monument.

It was a beautiful summers evening and 4 goodgymmers tackled a few hill reps, before joining the others to get on with the real hard work.

Working away with various implements, we filled wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow with moss, grass, dandelions and a whole host of others weeds, as well as clearing the site of litter. To top it off we were even treated to a visit from Goodgym retiree, Pauline, who was passing on her bike! This really spurred us on to make short work of the weeding and as you can clearly see from the after pic, we did a rather fabulous job!

As if that wasn't enough Sallyann then treated us to some chocolates and the traditional birthday oranges!