27 runners ran between 5-11k to help out two Community growing groups in Camden

On a still, warm evening 27 runners congregated in Somers Town Community Centre and readied themselves for a run to do good in Camden. Though slightly confused by Shaun's attempt to perform dynamic stretches while holding a safety briefing (a genuine feat of multitasking), we managed to split ourselves into two groups. A group of strong speedy runners readied themselves for an epic 11k, while the more sensible folk limbered up for a nice 5k dash.

The long run report- courtesy of Pritesh 'Colombus' Mistry

It’s too forking hot to run this far!

This week we had 8 brave souls for the run and we set off with great enthusiasm working our way towards Primrose Hill and up towards West Hampstead. Everyone put maximum effort in and we all made it up the hill without stopping!

Once at Kingsgate I made the obligatory mistake and took us to the community centre and not to the space we were digging but we got there in the end. There we met Ajay and Diana, some keen locals on the estate who have taken it upon themselves to make the estate a nicer place by sprucing up some raised beds. Diana was particularly welcoming and gave us some home-made elderflower cordial to refresh us after the long run and then we set to work on the bed. It was a sterling job by everyone and we managed to turn the dry soil in the entire bed before we had another slug of cordial, had a quick group photo with Ajay and Diana and then readied ourselves for the long run back.

With conditions particularly hot and muggy we set off at a steady pace and despite Jemma having a bit of a knee twinge (was I pushing us too hard? :s) we all got back to base for a good old stretch.

A really good task and run and the community at Kingsgate couldn’t have been more appreciative!

THE SHORT RUN REPORT

19 people dashed up to Maiden Lane Estate to help out in Maiden Lane- local people bid to run and maintain the green spaces on the estate, and have created various brilliant projects including an orchard, edible garden, beds and have encourage local people to take an interest in sustainability and permaculture.

Bindweed Blitz

Our task was simply- bind weed had almost completely taken over an area of space roughly the same size as a 5 a side football pitch. They guys are looking to start growing on the areas so needed to remove it and compost the lot! We set about tearing it all out by hand in 40mins we had cleared the entire area and lugged about 6 1/3 sacks of weeds across the estate to be composted. Great work team.

Canal Run home

We packed all the tools packed away, fuelled ourselves up a few cheeky redcurrants and headed for the Canal where there was several options for a route home to Somers Town. Most people headed back home along the canal while others made a brief sojourn to Camden before trying to catch us up. We all met up back at the Community Centre for a nice stretch. Great evening- Les was chuffed, we met lots of faces on the run, and we smashed a 5k- Bonza!