Surrey 1/2 Marathon & 5k

The day had finally arrived. All the training & preparation was going to be put into practice. 🏃🏻‍♂️

Goodgym Woking members were out in full force this morning taking part in this iconic race in our home town. The atmosphere and energy around the event village was amazing. In total there were just over 5,000 runners from all over the country.

It was great seeing so many familiar faces current and from the past. The weather was just right the storms that appeared overnight had moved away ⛈️

Wayne cycled to the race and got there early to take photos. He was soon joined by Anne & Rebecca. Wayne said a hello to his old mate Tony (Mr Carlos Ice Cream) who is at the park most days. We then saw Phil Katie husband he was telling us that Katie was getting her race number. Adam joined us looking fit & ready to go. We saw many familiar faces from other local running clubs that we all know Woking AC, Run Company, No Sweat Running. 🏃🏾‍♂️

Wayne headed off for one final visit to the Loo and on the way back bumped into Abi it was great seeing Abi taking part as last year while running the race she got an injury but this time she was eager to finish. Maya & her husband Andy joined us for a few pictures then we all headed off to the start line. Runners were going off at different times this was based on projected finish times. The 1/2 runners started first followed by the 5k runners. Nadia & Katie had signed up to the 5k this was Nadia first 5k race with her super fast new trainers 😀

Going through the start line the amount of people that were lined up along the road heading out was amazing the cheers and support was unbelievable 👏🏽 going out of the leisure center and through Westfield the crowds were incredible Flags, signs, a brass band was something else. It was great seeing family and friends along the route cheering. Just past the 10k mark Maya had caught up with Maya they had a breath chat before Maya put her foot down 🏃‍♀️💨

There were a few water stations along the route & WC's which were very handy as Wayne had drunk way to much liquid earlier 😀

The toughest section was the out and back seeing runners run the opposite way was tough, but seeing friends along that section cheering was just the boost we needed. As we approached the last 3k the end was insight. That final push with the crowd roaring and pushing you through was crazy crossing that finish line felt amazing.

We had all come in at different times. Nadia & Katie both did amazingly well with fantastic times in the 5k race. James & Adam smashed it. Wayne was very pleased with his time for his 1st 1/2 marathon. Maya set a new PB at 1/2 marathon 🎉 Abi finished with an amazing time while Rebecca had a great run. And our queen Anne followed up from her San Francisco marathon with an incredible run.

What a day what an race, you should all be proud of what you achieved, you are all amazing and make Woking GG what it is a fantastic kind hearted people.

Rest up enjoy the rest of the weekend and see some of you next week 😀

On a bright sunny Sunday morning heading to Woking park to help with Winning junior parkrun, the wind was gentle and great conditions for a big turn out for JPR I as got closer to the bandstand the crowd was small but still growing. I made the other GoodGymers Ann, Katie, Sharon and Melanie who were getting there high-vis vests on ready to take their position as marshals. I was going to be at the the back of the start line and do my duties as the tail walker. As the announcements started with the course conditions and the rules were being given the crowd started to grow. And once the warm crew started with their gorilla stamps, their high knees the whole crowd bounced around rhythmically until the big count down from 10 to 1 happened to signal everyone to head to the start line. Once at the start line everyone waited for the count down to start, as I waited at the back of the crowd as they all stormed off. We managed to complete the first lap before the first runner past us. We carried on focused on encouraging the last children to keep on going. There were bursts of energy and running quickly by these youngsters followed walking and recovering.

It wasn't too long before all 110 runners finished including us. The sun was still shining brightly as we cleared up for another week. Well done all 😀

On a grey Sunday morning heading to Woking park to help with Woking junior parkrun, I saw the start line neatly placed on the field where the kids will be staying from in a short while. As I am getting closer to the bandstand the crowd was small but still growing. I met up with the other GoodGymers Katie and Melanie who were getting the high-vis vests on, ready to take their position as marshals. I was going to be at the finish line helping to scan the finishers times. As the announcements started with the course conditions and the rules were being, given the crowd started to grow. And once the warm-up crew started with their gorilla stamps, their high knees the whole crowd bounced around rhythmically until the big count down from 10 to 1 happened to signal everyone to head to the start line. Once at the start line everyone waited for the run to start and then the sun came out just in time for the start. With everyone in position the children happily made their way from the field onto the path in quick time. It wasn't long before the first finishers came through and I had to quickly start to scan the tokens from the first finishers. Before long, the tokens that were coming through quickly going from token 10s and 20s all the way up to 108 finishers! After the last runner finished and all the tokens were scanned, we submitted the results and helped clear up, already for next week.

Junior Park Run

On this beautiful sunny morning ☀️ 4 GG members carried out various roles at the Junior Park Run.

Kirsty & 🚀 ran just under 6k to get to the park run, very impressive. Wayne ran just under 7k both of them getting some miles in the legs before the Martian Race 👽 which is a few weeks away.

🚀 was the star attraction amongst the young runners as he was getting all the attention 😄. Kirsty, Wayne, Melanie, & Sharon all took up their positions around the 2k course as marshals cheering and encouraging the runners around.

Today we had 160 runners with the fastest time an amazing 07:49. In total there were 44 PB's. Great running by everyone..

This coming Wednesday we are meeting at the park to do a 5k Park Run in preperation for the up & coming race.

On Thursday we are at the Food Bank giving it a deep clean.

Enjoy the rest of the Sunny Weekend. ☀️

Run Director/Woking GG’s James was feeling nervous at 8.58 this morning as only a handful of children had arrived to run the 2k circuit today.

By 9 am 176 children were surrounding the bandstand ready to hear his welcome speech and begin the pre-run warm up led by a group of their peers.

At 9.13 176 children were on their way with 4 other GG Woking volunteers cheering them on. Becky, Katie, Kirsty and Mel enthusiastically carried out their marshal roles maintaining the runners’ safety and ensuring every participant had fun - None other than a Woking GGer can smile, encourage, clap, cheer or high five with such aplomb!

We look forward to doing it all again next week… ❤️