24 people ran 5k and shifted 104 barrows of compost 120 metres.

The centrepiece of this run was Spitalfields City Farm, where the good folk of GoodGym had been asked to shift some manure and hay from one side of the farm to another. After a short run from the Arch to the farm, we donned gloves and divvied up the tasks.

"Enthusiastic Barrow Unloaders"

Those who were not mud-shy and/or fancied a more strenuous work-out doled out the manure from inside a huge container. Meanwhile a group of us ran through the farm with the full wheelbarrows, met by enthusiastic barrow unloaders at the other end. Everyone enjoyed the challenge of trying to find the most efficient use of time, forks and wheelbarrows. Between us we shifted 104 barrows of manure in half an hour, surely a new record.

"Build Our Fitness"

For the run back we split into two groups: half doing a longer route back to make up a total of 5k, and the rest of us doing a shorter run, with a stop off at Weaver's Fields for some interval training in the middle to build up our fitness. As a GoodGym newbie it was a great introduction!

Frances B

The intervals were 3 sets of 30 sec hard run, then 30 secs to try to get back to the start, followed by a 60 sec rest.

Special mentions go to Cameo Musgrave for helping out an injured runner and being a part of the team on her very first GG run, David Miller for leading a canal route back from the farm, & Will Dowsett for running and doing good on the day after a very hilly marathon in the Wye Valley.