Seven runners ran 6.5km to help the Canal & River Trust

Tonight we headed back to Belgrave Lock to continue our "painting the Forth Bridge" task, staining the wooden sleepers that run from Lock 44 back to Abbey Park. Having completed around 35m of staining last time out with 10 runners how would we get on this time? Before we left we heard about Mel and Dave's "five Melton Mowbray parkruns" in one morning and Huw's resolution to his Garmin charger drama.

We set off from DMU along the river, meeting Sharon en route at Frog Island who was cycling due to a niggly knee, a beautiful peaceful late summer run that always feels a little bit further than it actually is for some strange reason. Answers on a postcard! We met Oliver bang on time who briefed us on the task, ensuring that none of us ended up getting wet. While Oliver and Mel got cracking with some litter picking around the lock, the rest of the group set to work wire brushing the sleepers before applying the wood stain. Soon we realised we were absolutely nailing the task, Dave needing a quick stretch trotted along to measure out what we'd completed compared to last time and confirmed our suspicion. We were on track to beat last time's work and once Sheila pointed out the more we got done the nearer we'd be to home the group went into overdrive. Just a bit more. Just a bit more. With all of us in attendance bar the injured Sharon heading to the Silverstone 10k tomorrow night we took an executive decision to keep going until we emptied our pots, overrunning the task time as far as we could while still making sure we got back in time to avoid parking fines!

This is fast becoming a favourite task, it really is quite theraputic working away by the water and helping our friends at the Canal & River Trust in the process. A brisk return with Sharon acting as our lead bike and we're all suitably warmed up ready for tomorrow's adventure down to the Silverstone F1 circuit! News of that to follow.

Next week we're running to help LOROS inform residents of the forthcoming Leicester Marathon, many hands make light work so please do sign up to come and give us a hand here.

Well done everyone, great work tonight, let's keep that momentum going next time we head back!

HD