The Phoenix Cultural Centre is an amazing venue! I myself have attended a community music and food/drink festival there outside with a friend; it was my first time inside the building. We found out the huge site used to be the headquarters for KFC but now a community centre new to GoodGym we helped to decorate and transform some of the areas into brighter creative settings. There was a large table to move that Ola, Julie, Stephanie and myself moved together from one part of the building to the other. The rest was mostly decorating with posters and our own creative input. Elaine who met us there was lovely, she made us so welcome! Was happy for us to help her... Looking forward to helping out more at the centre! What a great project for Woking!

*Junior Park Run *

Another damp and dreary morning couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the runners, with around 12 children taking part in their very first Junior Parkrun!

Karen and Olalekan enjoyed an early catch-up before heading off to their respective roles, helping the children safely around the course and making sure everyone got their finish times.

It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces despite the weather – another brilliant GoodGym session!

*Junior Park Run *

Another Sunday morning and another grey and drizzly start to the junior park run 🏃‍♂️

Wayne and Olalekan met at the bandstand and had a little catch up as they had not seen each other for a while 💬

There was a good number of young runners this morning despite the grey and wet morning.

In total there were 156 runners who took part in the 2k run around the park 😀

Wayne was out on the course as a marshal cheering and supporting the runners around.

Olalekan was at the finish line scanning the bar code as the runners finished

The fastest time was an impressive 07:24 with 42 PB's

fantastic running by everyone 👏🏽

As I arrived at Woking leisure center some keen GoodGymers were already there waiting. As I grabbed a cheeky espresso from the cafe, GoodGymers Jemma and Julie joined me. As we were catching up, Anne sent a message letting us know she had arrived at the entrance with the litter pickers. Anne, Jemma. Agathe, Julie and I waited for one last GoodGymer. As we were all keen to get into some 'plogging' action, we each spread out and started to canvasing the entrance to the leisure centre and a little bit of Woking park, quickly making a big difference.

Olalekan, kindly let us know he was running a little behind, so I offered to hang back and let the others to stretch their legs and get started. They headed of towards Egley Road and I did some squats to stay warm. It did not take too long before Olalekan arrived and we were off. As I started to run out of the leisure centre, ran down Westfield Avenue, past the football grounds, seeing little bits of littler, here and there. I realised I had gone the wrong way!

After a quick call to Anne heading the main group, I had just turned off too soon so Olalekan and I back tracked and went up along Wych Hill lane. Back as a group we continued the great team work as we worked along Egley Road, and filling our first litter bag, awesome work from Woking GoodGymers 😁

Starting on a new bag we entered the cul-de-sac along Hawthorn Road, a magnetic license plate was found along with lots of cans and bags. As we came closer to Hoe Stream we knew it wasn't long to reach the leisure centre. As we had finished filling the second bag we added that to the bin.

We thought it would be a straight run along the stream back to the leisure centre, but realised that toads had taken some of the path to migrate to their breeding pond! After observing them with our torches, we, obviously, were careful to avoid them!

Thanks go to Agathe for the lovely drawing she made to illustrate our task.

The grounds of the Woking Leisure Centre welcomed runners and families this morning with surprisingly warm air and an inviting buzz of excitement. Despite earlier forecasts hinting at unsettled weather, the start of the junior parkrun felt almost balmy. In fact, it was warm enough that Adam had to remove his jacket before taking up his marshal position — a sure sign that the morning held more promise than chill. As the young runners gathered at the start line, there was a vibrant hum of anticipation. The warmth added a gentle comfort to the occasion, allowing everyone to relax into the moment. Laughter floated across the course, trainers shuffled eagerly on the pavement, and the countdown sparked a wave of energy that carried the runners forward in a joyful surge. Adam and Karen stood proudly as marshals, positioned along the route to guide and encourage. With sleeves rolled up and spirits high, they offered enthusiastic cheers and reassuring directions. Their presence was a steady beacon along the course, helping runners navigate each turn with confidence. Every “Well done!” and “Keep going!” seemed to add an extra spring to the young athletes’ steps. At the finish funnel, Ola carried out his barcode scanning role with warmth and efficiency. He greeted each finisher with a bright smile, carefully scanning barcodes and ensuring every achievement was recorded. The finish area buzzed with pride — flushed faces, triumphant grins, and the unmistakable glow of accomplishment. The thrills of the run were evident in the determined sprints, the personal bests, and the powerful final pushes toward the line. Supporters lined the course, clapping rhythmically and celebrating each child’s effort. It was a morning defined by enthusiasm, teamwork, and resilience. Only after the final runner had crossed the finish line did the weather gently shift. A soft drizzle began to fall, almost as if nature had waited respectfully for the race to conclude. The light raindrops added a refreshing close to the event, cooling the warm air and creating a serene atmosphere for the post-run moments. The photo session that followed captured this transition beautifully. Smiling runners and dedicated volunteers posed together as fine droplets shimmered on jackets and hair. The drizzle added character to the photographs — a subtle reminder of the day’s changing skies and the shared experience. Laughter continued despite the rain, and group photos radiated warmth that outshone the grey clouds above. As equipment was packed away and families headed home, there was a collective sense of fulfillment. From the warm, energetic start to the gentle drizzle that closed the morning, the junior parkrun at Woking Leisure Centre was a celebration of community spirit. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers like Adam, Karen, and Ola, it was not just a run — it was a memory made together."