Our last group run/walk of 2023 and of Claus, we sleigh-ed it!

We met at the Community Centre, admired Jen's jingle bells and Scarlett's red-nosed unicorn, and welcomed an elf, who seemed to have come in Matthew's place.

Our welcome and elf and safety briefing was done by a snowman (me) and then we warmed up, ready for our 1.5km walk or run to the task. This included moves from the Nutcracker ballet, hammering in Santa's workshop, and ski jumps - you know, your usual Winter stuff.

The runners (me, Nicola and Jess) then set off to do shuttles between the walkers and every lampost. This seemed like a good plan to get our distance in for the December Daily Dash, but the walkers quickly tired of high fiving us every 30 seconds (how Rude-olph!) so we decided to entertain them with Christmas greeting and jokes.

How much does it cost to park a sleigh? Nothing, it's on the house.

What's different about the Christmas alphabet? There's No-el.

What's the problem with snow boots? They melt!

There were myrrh, but don't worry I'll leave you some surprises in your Christmas crackers.

Mandy got stuck in traffic so said she would run by her elf and meet us at the task. It was a Claus run thing, but she made it! Sara was also just in the Saint Nick of time, have already had her fitness fix playing racket-bauble.

Our task for the evening was to tackle overgrown nettles and brambles on Blackamoor Lane that have been blocking the pavement. We didn't have many tools and there were quite a few parked vehicles blocking access, but didn't let it dampen our Christmas spirit (as elf!?). We still gave it our best shot (of egg-nog) and had a great advent-ure.

While we worked we attempted a game of Christmas joke Chinese whispers, but we all got a bit confused so it was more of a Silent Night. At least there was no rein-deer!

By the time we were finished at the task, we were all out of jokes, so on our run and walk back (involving more lamposts) runners and walkers took turns coming up with lines for 'The 12 Days of GoodGym Christmas' and it became a memory game as our true love generously gave us more and more gardening gloves, community allotments, black forest gatueas and secateurs.

Back at the community allotment, there was more Hark the Herald GoodGymers singing. We planked to Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, squatted and lunged to We Wish You a Merry Christmas, danced to Deck the Halls and stretched to an increasingly soprano repertoire of carols.

Thanks to Matthew the elf, Diya and Mandy, we have some really wonder-yule photos and elfie's from the evening.

Everyone deserves a round of Santa-plaus for our festive and fun evening. Now before I get too Santa-mental, it's time to wish you all a truly Merry Christmas and loads of GoodGyming in the New Year. You can guarantee the second bit by clicking here and signing up for some January sessions. Use the filters to find the best ones for you.