We had talk of ragwort ...Himalayan Balsam and hedging our bets on what 'weed' encounter at St Mary's University for the new students GG task. Super excited to be at the hub for so much sporting activity in Richmond borough and the home of such legends to running. Over the last ten years, St Mary’s University has gone from strength to strength, developing athletes such as Mo Farah, Andy Vernon and Beth Potter and now.... GoodGym are on the track!

It is currently Welcome Fortnight, 2 weeks of students being introduced to University through a whole host of events (and not just the drinking kind!) Step up GoodGym Richmond. We were delighted to be asked to run a task for students and staff to introduce them to not only University, volunteering but also the beauty of Richmond Borough and local community.

Our task this afternoon (ahhh the chance to run in daylight again) was niether Ragwort nor Balsalm, but Hawthorn, which we were advised had grown to cover pathways and prevent some other beautiful fauna such as the orchid from flourishing along our river banks.

We were met by the lovely Gina from Glendale/Richmond Council who shone all the brighter in this afternoon's sunshine by greeting us with the offer of tea and digestives (which some of you will be pleased to know we abstained for the sake of a greater sense of duty to our task.

Gina led the way carrying a machete type sword, could easily have been a prop in an Indiana Jones movie, while the rest of us followed with some sightly less beefy secateurs. A good power walk, some very good instructions from Gina and we were ready for the Hawthorn. It is amazing as ever how much even a small group with a concentrated effort can achieve, some even braved the big blade! (With great saftey I might add). We cleared as much as we could in the time available, Gina was pleased but it left us no time for tea and biscuits before we had to make a sharp run back to uni.

Some ultra flexible stretching was demonstrated back on campus before a quick summary of how the students can join us every Monday evening (6.45pm at Wholefoods, George St, Richmond).

It was awesome to run with you all, especially Edward with his tentative knees (which served him well and so therefore no doubt we will see you on the odd run on Mondays) . Also Thibeault new to GoodGym and great to meet Gosia a travelling GoodGym runner - wonderful you joined us. Samia and Jen awesome to have some GG Richmond orginality.