Our task tonight was a last minute change so that we could help out around Tolworth Broadway. I pride myself on trying to keep Kingston runners as flexible as they will allow me but tonight they demonstrated new levels in that area downing tools for an allotment task to pick up litter picks to clear some rubbish.

To add to this they would run nearly an extra kilometre on what was originally planned, but even this did not dampen their spirits. It was worth it too as we were helping the Shed-x Project in their campaign to improve Tolworth and the surrounding areas for the community. It was fantastic to meet Robin from The Community Brain again and hear about how things are developing for the better in Tolworth. He was well equipped with litter picks, bin bags and gloves hailing us down as we almost ran past him in our eagerness to get there as quick as we could.

So leading up to Tolworth Broadway are twenty seven benches which from the sound of it appear to be used more as a site to dispose of rubbish rather than a place to sit. Perhaps part of this reason for lack of choosing to relax along the Broadway is because of the high air pollution content in this area. (hmmm I wonder if Air pollution affected one of our photos tonight?)The good news is Shed-x are overseeing a project where the benches are being uplifted and replaced with a new seating arrangement that will also allow for some plants to be added both enhancing the ambience from an aesthetic point of view and also improving the air quality. So our role and just in the nick of time, as 3 of the benches have already been uplifted and the replacement is happening tomorrow, was to remove any litter in and around the sites.

We removed some weird and wonderful rubbish items ranging from the tiniest tin cans in the world, currencies from all denominations and a superhero cape strapped to a tree. BUTT the biggest offender was cigarette butts and if the road to enlightenment can be found by picking these up one at a time with a litter pick then Kingston must have some chanting guru GoodGym runners now in our team.

@GoodGymKingston ran, we litter-picked the butts out of the Broadway and we gif-ed @SHEDx_org @communitybrain pic.twitter.com/zMr0lvD8IC

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) October 16, 2018

Time flew by tonight but we still managed at least ten of the bench sites and the transformations were fantastic. We even had a local resident pop into the shop to buy us 8 bottles of mineral water to say thank you for our efforts and this was just as well as the other offer was a free drink at the bar by one of the other grateful businesses along the high street, but we may not have made it back to Kingston if we took up that offer! THANK YOU TO BOTH though!

All in all a great night running with great people doing fantastic things in our community and if you consider we had at least 2 coming down with viruses, one getting over a virus, a dodgy calf and a bad back (or 2!) BUT together as a team we were as strong as could be.

It was great to see Nicola back and well done on such tremendous races, especially the Bournemouth marathon last Sunday. Also congratulations to Dave on a sterling time for the Cabbage Patch 10 Miler...now who's up for the Denbies wine run? Let's get chatting on Whatsapp!!

Finally next week , super Samia will be leading the team to Searchlight Mencap, have fun and I look forward to hearing how you all get on. (When I get back can someone show me how to take a selfie?)