Monday 15th January
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Well done to all of the 8 hardy Goodgym runners (including first timer Andrea- welcome!) who braved the bitterly cold conditions last night, as potential snow appears to be on the horizon for London!
That said, we have to give a thought to the intrepid runners taking on The Spine Race as we speak- a 268 mile traverse across the entirety of the Pennine Way! You can catch up on the action here: https://live.opentracking.co.uk/spinerace24/
Together, our crew engaged in a series of dynamic warm ups on the Emirates Slopes, before running approximately 2km across Holloway Road and onto Camden Road towards St Mungo's Hill drop House, a residence and community network for local homeless and unhoused people.
Unfortunately, the team at St Mungo's seemed to have forgotten about our scheduled visit, and so our original gardening plans were set aside for the time being. However, Area Activator Simon had come prepared with a series of litter pickers, strong gloves and eco refuse bags for this predicament. We split into three groups- group 1 clearing the front entrance of St Mungo's of cigarette butt's, discarded cans, bottles and general litter from the busy road next door. Group 2 travelled a bit further into the neighbourhood to help with returning a rubbish pickup spot back to a clean and tidy state. Group 3 jogged down Camden Road to fix up The Cat and Mouse Children's Library, around the former Holloway Road prison site.
Between us, we successfully collected 10 full bags of litter just along Camden Road in the course of 30 minutes Very impressive and super satisfying work- congratulations all!
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GoodGym Islington News
ON Running and JENKI run club- Thursday morning matcha runs!
Every Thursday, 7am, ON Running Spitalfields, Brushfield Street
Area Activator Simon has set up a series of morning runs, hosted every Thursday morning at the new ON Running store in Spitalfields market.
A social 5km before work, with the option to take out a pair of ON Running shoes for a test spin. Followed by complimentary matcha and hot drinks provided by the team at JENKI, Brushfield Street.
Next run is on Thursday 18th January
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions- Emirates Stadium
Thursday 18th January, 6pm, Arsenal Underground station
Every Thursday, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location. This week, we will be meeting up at Arsenal tube station, ready to run around the Emirates Stadium concourse. Open to runners and guides of all abilities! Follow the link to get involved:
Run Tour of Islington Parks #2- ON Running Group Run
Tuesday 16th January, 6pm, ON Running Spitalfields, Brushfield Street
Did you know that the borough of Islington contains 121 listed green spaces according to The Green Classroom?
To celebrate a great year with Goodgym Islington, Area Activator Simon will be planning a social run to visit as many of these as possible within 45 - 60 minutes! We are planning to continue this project over the month of January, to see if we can visit every Islington green space during Goodgym runs.
The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Various parks and gardens on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.
The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!
Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday
Hillside Gardens, Caxton House Next Thursday- 10am - midday
Market Road Gardens Next Friday- 10am - midday
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (January)
Saturday 20th January, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
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Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 21st January, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our annual trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-january-2024
Post Group Run Social- Happy January!
Monday 29th January, 8.45pm, Memsaab Islington
Following our final group run of the January Challenge, and Frannie from Octopus Community Network's last Goodgym task, we are planning on visiting Memsaab Indian restaurant for delicious curry and refreshments!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-memsaab-islington-happy-january
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Met League Cross Country Hill Training- Primrose Hill
Friday 2nd February, 6.30pm, The Queens, Primrose Hill
Area Activator Simon has set up one final hill training session before our last cross country fixture at Trent Park (10th February). Open to all, timed Kenyan Hills intervals! https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/gg-race-team-met-league-hill-training-session-february
Residential care for homeless individuals.
See moreIslington
Special hedge planting project with the Friends of City Gardens