Sunday 3rd February 2019
Find out about GoodGym TaskForce
Report written by Stephen Corry
Icy streets to beat box meets, runner nerves taken over by cheers!!
From Bridges to hills, trail runs to Duathalons, the Goodgymmers never cease to amaze, so on a chilly, brisk morning it was time to lend a hand at one of London's favourites - London Winter run (including High-fiving penguins and Hugging Polar bears)
While most of London slept under an amazing sunrise, 4 Good deeders set to the task of Bag drop and 1 to be start line set up/finish line greeter/Medal enthusiast (Thanks to Vix for doing an absolutely smashing job) with triple extra layers and always dazzling smiles this was to be an extra special race for some with the well wishes of Goodgym!!
The day began with a briefing from the Technical staff of Cancer Research Team stating that 5 to a line in bag drop and the (self) allocation of Group E to be (as quoted from one of the leaders) the best organised team of the day. The smiles and well wishes flew quicker and louder as the hours rolled past and the mountain of bags grow larger ( some having to be allocated to the floor due to lack of hooks) with turns being past between bag tag armband fix and bag hook and number locator being the main rolls. This then grew as members of E were to then to be swapped into F & then D to led a hand into the system of the bag drop.
With the release of the final wave approaching (10:45) and runners making a dash to starting pens, familiar faces & glistening medal began to appear from the first set of racers beaming and just expressing the gratitude into an amazing race and thanks flew to us for making the day seem flawless.
This came as more a shock when the mass arose and Team E again became Teams E, F & D and the acronym F.E.D became more appropriate as D was in chaos with their allocation system falling after passing only 378 bags out of 890.... Goodgym to the aid was spoken and to work we all got, the returning runners, their smiles slowly wilting, began to grow in number as we rounded up and located every bag and personal item to their rightful owners.
With 5 hours of determination and smiles, it was time to bid adieu to a wonderful day and the appreciation of a sit down in the Winter event village called to put the snow covered topping on a wonderful magical day.
Thanks to all ad hope you had a lovely weekend, See you all soon for more good deed joys!!
Lewisham
Parkruns are 100% volunteer operated and always looking for helpful people (GoodGym people!) to fill volunteer roles every weekend.