4 Goodgym runners joined Area Activator Simon for our first group run of 2023, with quite a unique variation of our typical Monday sessions. Our task this week was to help with providing information for a national route mapping project called "Slow Ways". The objective of the website is to offer safe and accessible walking routes for every corner of the UK and beyond- prioritising pedestrian friendly paths over "point A to point B" routes.

Find out about the Slow Ways mapping project here

https://beta.slowways.org/Page/about

Almost all of our team ran together from the Emirates Stadium and down Caledonian Road to cover 2.3 miles to reach our starting point for this particular Slow Way. After picking up Emily on route, we ran together towards Granary Square and onto the Regent's Canal towpath. During our run, we made sure to make notes about the accessibility of the route for walkers, runners, groups, cyclists and wheel chairs, and whether we thought the path was safe and well lit, while still being direct and useful.

We did note about a few spots on the path that required additional light from our head torches, as the street lights had failed, so we suggested alternative routes for night time walking. That said, we all agreed that the route towards Highbury and Islington (passing Barnard Park and Upper Street) was fit for purpose, and a great link between two major transport hubs in the area.

You can read our Slow Ways review for the King's Cross to Highbury and Islington route here

https://beta.slowways.org/Route/Kinhig/10000/#reviews

Following our run across town, our crew gathered together to discuss our experience over some refreshments at The Lamb on Holloway Road (while listening in to a ukulele orchestra across the bar) and to catch up after our festive breaks!