25 runners ran 7k and cleared a 38m path and shifted bags of weed

When I first heard of Goodgym, as part of my work with SIKA Academy, I was very excited by the whole concept and keen to come to a session and get involved personally. My first run happened to be the first of the New Year with plenty of other enthusiastic first timers arriving at Coffee is my Cup of Tea, by London Fields station.

It was a very mild January evening to ease us into new exercise regimes as part of resolutions or continuing commitment to the cause of GoodGym by some. Ade was great in organising the group and getting us into some warm up exercises with dynamic stretches, which were in themselves ice breakers for the exuberant motions being made! It was great to get speaking to some like minded people and get myself out in the evenings running again. It is a dynamic way to meet people and energise your evening!

We were to run 3.5K to our community mission through open spaces of the parks nearby too, which was great. We reached some allotments where a path needed clearing for ease of access and some removal of bags of waste. It is a continuing project, so the end result should be a big improvement and hopefully make for some very happy local residents. There were many hands, making light work of the task and the time flew by, especially as it was still a social gathering. We were ready to begin our run back of 3.5K by a different route and some of us could set off faster if we still had the energy.

We ran as a force with onlookers wondering about our cause. It was good to know it was more than just a jog; we were the quiet help of the night, and doing a double dose of goodness for ourselves and community.

James French