Eight runners met off the island on Saturday night to carry out our first Saturday evening Community Mission which was for Earth Hour. As this was off the main island of Portsmouth we met at the Gary Sadler Physio Clinic so that we didn’t have such a long run to make. A big thank you to Gary for allowing us to meet there and use it as our start and end.

We tooled up with litter pickers, gloves and bags and headed a short distance from the clinic to tidy an area near a footbridge that goes over the local railway line. It’s also a very popular spot where rubbish is thrown away into the bushes and side fences.

Tony headed off there whilst the rest of us; Angela, Charlotte, Katie, Louisa, Mel and Rachel got sidetracked and starting picking up litter very close to the clinic. This seemed a popular place where people just throw away cigarette butts and food and drink packaging.

Once we tackled that area we headed towards the railway line and met Tony who was already filling up a bag and deep in the depths of an area to the side of the alleyway.

Saturday night at the Goodgym….

We found the usual array of discarded food and drink packaging along with dog poo bags (filled) and numerous bottles filled with dubious contents. Katie retrieved a can that was unfortunately home to a dead slug which took some time to slide out.

We filled up both bags a lot faster than we expected and there was still plenty of rubbish that had yet to be picked up. We headed back towards the clinic to place the bags next to a bin for the council to collect.

Running Up That Hill

For those unfamiliar with Portsmouth, it’s a very flat city, so meeting at off the island gave us an ideal opportunity to run up to Portsdown hill and watch who would turn off their lights at 2030 from the viewpoint car park.

We all headed up the hill, regrouped at the top and ran down to meet other runners who were on their way up. A massive well done to everyone as they all ran up the hill without stopping. Maybe the smell of Mick’s Monster Burgers at the viewpoint car park was the incentive.

Hamburger Hill

Once at the car park we waited patiently in the queue for Micks (the only people in lycra) and decided what we were all going to have to eat whilst waiting for Earth hour to start. There are so many choices on the menu, were we going to just have a simple burger or go for the 1lb Jawbreaker special or Gutbuster.

Sadly the mist started to roll in over Portsmouth so we were unable to see everyone who participated in Earth Hour, although it did look like the Spinnaker Tower did. After finally being served with a nice long sausage or burger, we warmed ourselves with our drinks, Angela’s hot chips, conversation and lots of laughs before descending on our run back down the hill with bellies full of burgers and fun and laughter in our hearts.

It was a great mission to celebrate Earth Hour, clearing up an area in Portsmouth we don’t often get to do and fitting in a hill run followed by food. A perfect way to spend a Saturday night.