Tonight Goodgym Hackney braved the January cold for a short 4k run and a good cause. Lots of first-timers and a few hardened Hackney runners returned to the Wilton Estate, just north of London Fields, to rake, shovel and hoe wheelbarrows full of hardcore into expectant flower beds.

Debbie has reclaimed land in the centre of the Wilton Estate, that was previously used to hide weapons & drugs, and is prepping beautifully level beds to sow wild flowers. Like the ones seen on the meadow on London Fields last summer, Debbie's planning on harvesting the flowers in the autumn to make natural dye.

We split into three groups; the first task was raking the hardcore evenly, stomping it into the soil and then braking it up to a breadcrumb texture. The second group attacked roots in the corner of the communal space with the aid of pick axes and head torches, while Cory & Will scaled a bench to pull back a jasmine bush (narrowly avoiding the Estate's wifi cables).

After a great gardening session we said 'bye' to Debbie and got back to running. We did some speed work on route back, accelerating between lampposts like a happy, hi vis rainbow...

Rosie Pearson