Bournemouth Launch Run sees 18 new runners zooming 6K along the prom and back to litter pick and survey for Beachwatch

GoodGym burst onto the scene in Bournemouth last night! 18 runners and newly anointed GoodGymers met amongst the Air Festival construction outside Urban Reef. There was anticipation and excitement in the air as well as the perpetual aroma of fish and chips!

Lucy, Ruth and Ivo from GoodGym Central came along to support and bought us gifts of a first aid and gardening gloves. We all learnt from Ivo the other ways in which we can support our community through Coach Runs, reducing isolation and loneliness in our neighbourhoods.

The team gathered for a photoshoot and Councillor Williams declared GoodGym Bournemouth officially open, giving a short speech commending the volunteers ‘Bournemouth is a great place to be thanks to the effort of volunteers like you’!

Boscombe Regeneration lead, Cllr Jane Kelly, also attended the launch to show her support and gratitude for the efforts GoodGymers will make in contributing to the regeneration of the area. This instilled a feeling of positivity and wellbeing in the runners and gave us fire in our bellies to get going with the task.

We set off away from the hustle and bustle of the Air Festival, in the direction of the Kidz Zone beach at Southbourne. The group used this time to get to know each other and team spirit was soon in full swing. We discovered Hazel was on her first ever run, amazing work! Deborah had come from GG Bristol to show support and bring out the spirit of GoodGym in all of us, so big thanks.

Our task was to a litter pick and survey for a national charity called Beachwatch. The team were armed with bag, gloves and litter pickers and worked from groyne to groyne (ooh er!), picking up all manner of things from bow ties and shoes to a multitude of cigarette butts. We kept a record of the items found which will be submitted to Beachwatch for their coastline survey and work in preventing littering which can be damaging to marine wildlife….as well as the beauty of the beach. The team did an amazing job and we covered far more ground than expected - well done!!

The run home provided two options. Shout out to runleader-in-the-making, Shauna, who led half of the group on a longer run back. Both groups had to tackle the infamous zigzags, before running along the cliff top and enjoying the spectacular view.

Arriving back at Urban Reef we pushed ourselves a bit further with a short fitness session on the sand before warming down and patting ourselves on the back. A fantastic run, a fantastic launch, a fantastic team…..and so much more to come!!

Next week we will be meeting same time, same place - a new task awaits. Sprucing up a new premises of local charity Faithworks. Cannot wait! Let’s make GG Bournemouth THE place to be on a Wednesday - see you next week!!