After an almost casual remark on a Hackney group run or community mission (who actually started this??) and comparing some diaries, the 10th was picked for a visit to the home of Parkrun - Bushy Park.

This being Goodgym, it was ofcourse an open invitation for anyone to join us on this pilgrimage, with at least 5 areas represented on the day - runners from Hackney, Camden, Islington, Barnet & Redbridge managed to get up early enough to make the trip down to Bushy Park. Having arrived and dodged the initial drizzle we had the lovely surprise of Lindsay joining us all the way from York! She wasn't aware of our plans, but was doing her own pilgrimage and spotted the Goodgym shirts.

A 'new runners & tourists' briefing was followed by a quick check on where to drop the bags. A run director offered to take them to the bin (did we hear that correctly??), but instead Toyin said she wasn't really up for the running, so she was loaded up with bags and off we went.

Enjoying the scenery along the way (luckily the deer stayed away from the course) the 5k didnt quite flew by, but was successfully conquered by all Goodgymmers at their own speed, with special mention for Carol who knocked well over a minute off her previous best time! Give her a cheer or two.

Post run conversations turned to the options of making the Parkrun & brunch tourism a regular thing.... with Lindsay inviting us over to York and 'local' girl Amy mentioning Richmond Park as a possible next option... who knows where it will lead! Hard work done, it was time for re-fuelling - brunch for most, coffee on the go for others.

Till next time!