Area Activator Simon took a crew of intrepid Goodgymmers from all across the London boroughs for a special 7.5 mile and 2.8 mile run through some of the most beautifully Christmassy areas of London. Starting at The Running Works in Houndsditch, Aldgate (where Simon works - www.therunningworks.net) by a lovely tree, we made our way down to the Thames Path via the Tower of London and within sight of The Shard with its festive lighting display.

The Thames Riverside Path proved to be easy to navigate and clear of snow and ice (a concern in the lead up to this run), and we continued to Big Ben on Westminster bridge, just in time to hear it chime (a rarity, as the bells have been changed and the scaffolding has finally been taken down). Along Bird Cage Walk (famous for the London Marathon), we approached Buckingham Palace, and met up with Kim and Emily at Green Park Station (who successfully kept warm while waiting for us!).

After avoiding some of the crowds on their way to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, we ran together towards Knightsbridge and then over to The Royal Albert Hall concert house (lit up for seasonal performances), and along the lush firm snow lined terraces of horse guards parade (past the King Albert memorial too). Upon our arrival to King's Gate, we turned into Kensington and finished our run outside the Churchill Arms, an incredibly decorated pub full of Xmas cheer. Congratulations folks, looking forward to more group runs next year!

It was a brisk and bracing winter evening this Monday- one that encourages double socks, and thick long sleeve tops to stay warm! However, 9 top Goodgymmers joined us this week for our run over to Highbury Quadrant Estate from The Emirates Stadium (including new runner Alex- welcome and Thanks for joining us!)

We performed a warm-up together on the slope leading over to Danny Fiszmann Bridge, before taking on the Aubert Park slope over to Blackstock Road. We reached our destination just by Clissold Park, where local resident Matthew was ready to meet us with instructions. Goodgym Islington have had a hand in a lot of the construction for these particular community flower beds and planters.

We picked up loads of shovels, spades and wheelbarrows from the Highbury Quadrant Estate Meadow, and went straight to work with moving the very last bags of soil away from the estate. One of the barrows did prove to be a bit dodgy, and had a tendency to wobble and squeak- a spritz of WD-40 did wonders though!

A curious teenage fox watched us from a safe distance, wondering what these red t-shirt wearing folks were up to! Within 25-30 minutes, the bags were light enough to be transported to a new gardening plot, without the need of further shoveling, so we worked together to drop the final load of soil for this ambitious project!

Perfect timing for #WorldSoilDay!

https://twitter.com/SoilAssociation/status/1599680082666143744?t=2K8NINrVBM-RtY6aHIlbgw&s=19

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NEWS

Achilles International VI guide running at The Emirates Stadium

Thursday 8th December, 6pm at Arsenal tube station.

Come and join Achilles International for our weekly group running session with visually impaired runners- a great introduction to guide running in a safe, friendly environment! More information can be viewed here:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-session-8c05d148-5715-488c-ac96-72198a0a923c?legacy=true

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Canonbury Square Gardens Group Run and December Social!

Monday 12th December, 6.45pm at The Arsenal Community Hub, and then 8.45pm at The Victoria Tavern.

Next week, we will be hosting our final group run of 2022- setting off to Canonbury Square Gardens for a lovely session of trimming, tidying, sweeping and wood chip spreading.

Afterwards, we plan to visit The Victoria Tavern on Holloway Road for a social- pizza and refreshments!

Sign up to both here:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-christmas-special-at-canonbury-square-gardens

And the social:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/december-social-the-victoria-tavern-holloway-road

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Headtorch Group Run Series- Christmas Edition

Friday 16th December, 6.30pm, setting off from The Running Works running shop in Aldgate.

Area Activator Simon will be leading a lovely sightseeing paced Christmas run, along the side of the Thames and the Embankment, Green Park, Buckingham Palace and over to one of the most Christmassy pubs in London, The Churchill Arms in Kensington!

12km or just over 7 miles in total distance- it will be a wonderfully festive final run for the year!

Sign up here to get involved:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-islington-headtorch-group-run-the-christmas-edition

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