HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Richmond Goodgym, Happy birthday to us!

What a great two years, celebrated with the finest folk in the most authentic GG style! Well played Richmond tonight and every night you run you are heroes! We had 21 turn up and some great well wishes from Richmond council, Vocal tonix, Spear and others on Twitter and other media so thank you!

It's warm up time on Richmond Green #Goodgym #volunteering #reasontorun #Richmond #ourbirthday #twoyears pic.twitter.com/Xp8BxkilFZ

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) July 16, 2018

So much happened that to document it all would read longer than you could stay captivated for or end up as a list to keep note of. In short we had a blast we had a strong run on some slippery surfaces, we got to touch one another's knees in the only way I think it is legal as adults? We ran through British military territory, dodged rugby matches and French Bulldogs (I imagine so obliging as they were still on a high after the footie result!) We watched Kate turn 'Transformer' into her Bolero outfit and we gave the hills the slip (well some of us did - You know who you are!).

It wouldn't be a birthday without any party games now would it? First up...."Tag knees" #Richmondgreen #birthday #party #goodgym #twoyearsdoinggood pic.twitter.com/xS0vCefgCQ

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) July 16, 2018

Second birthday game..."Up or Down?" Can you work out what #GoodGymRichmond are trying to do in order to win?#Mondays #volunteering #Richmond #goodgym #running #birthday pic.twitter.com/gCcdMDTTBn

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) July 16, 2018

At the task we helped Vineyard prepare for this week's summer Bar B- Q in such beautiful gardens. Washed down and set out the chairs, tidied the garden and helped with the weeding and lopping..... hmmm those that lopped need to tell us a bit more about this as we don't see it as often as it's referred too so do tell next run PLEASE!! Then there are those that on a night hot enough to melt your minstrels (even in the fridge) dressed up toe to neck to tackle the beast that is Himalayan Balsam and well we won of course ...the pics say it all and well done to all.

Phew, I'm exhausted reliving this one but luckily next was a cool down in prep for a FEAST that satisfied our running appetites and one can only say well done to all who bought and contributed. We even had leftovers although not much cake went spare I noticed. Simply because it was just so damn GOOD!! thanks Richmond task force for organising, Kate, Laura and Jenny for the cakes and balloon!! Super night by all!

Happy Birthday GoodGym Richmond!
Today we turned 2 and celebrated with a picnic on Richmond Green, thank you to everyone who joined pic.twitter.com/FGRD4ogsxw

— GoodGym Richmond (@GGRichmon) July 16, 2018

Finally welcome Helen on her first run and Heidi from Spear (great you made it), also Kate from Kingston ; ) Lewe and Penny big KUDOS on your second too! 2 for 2 eh!!!!!

Think that's the lot .... all the cake has made me sleepy

See you next week lovely people doing GOOD!

Here's tonight's running commentary

7pm kick off , team GG Richmond headed for the pitch (aka Richmond Green) to warm up...World Cup style! We did some football warm up drills as well as a friendly game of crab football to work our triceps. One nil, one nil Yay!!!! After tidying the green of the empties...Not ours I should add, we were off!

We jogged to and around Old Deer Park , then over and under bridges until we reached ETNA where we were to tackle some weeds and get Messi. With 14 of us (in England colours) we got lots done. Watering the flowerbeds, weeding (minding the rose bushes), and digging up overgrown plants.

The task was made even more interesting as we were asked to not only keep our hands busy but our minds with Mark setting us the competition of getting as many puns as possible and beating him in a pun match.

While we were there we were greeted by the task owner - the lovely Sian who told us about how the community centre is looking to raise funds for a new Kitchen. If you live in the borough you can vote for ETNA to receive funding, visit here to find out more.

Just before the second half of the night we downed tools for a group photo and talk on all the great things ETNA do and then ran back over Richmond bridge to Wholefoods and a stretch. It's fair to say though , we all wanted extra time to do more at the task. We Moscow again soon to finish the job!

Back at Wholefoods news circulated that England had drawn with Tunisa and we were ready to head home for the highlights but before the final whistle we congratulated Seren and Miranda on their second run and Penny and Jenni (from Ealing GG) on their first run with us.

Great evening as ever - Nice one on the back marking Anita and Jon you get the award for man of the match!

Thanks for a great night all - Looking forward to Monday next already!

On 16th July we will be celebrating our second birthday, the taskforce are finalising how the evening may look but if you have any ideas please share them.