19 runners warmed their cockles by getting fit and doing good with GoodGym Liverpool, despite a chilly evening.

With lots of our regulars taking an impromptu night off, the team might have been smaller than usual... but not when Amy H. is around! Amy brings a new standard to the suggestion of "bring a friend" and likes to bring not just one friend, but a whole cheering squad! Well done Amy, you are our recruiter No. 1!

With a pretty simple, downhill and super short run to the task, you'd think that nothing could go wrong getting there. Alas, I seem to have some geographical mind block when it comes to the Pagoda Centre but after a nervous hesitation, we didn't go too far off course (compared to last time we ran there at least!).

We were greeted by Zilan and the sight of an office worth of furniture stacked up in the main hall. A very patient group were also trying to enjoy a Tai Chi session next to this mess and with our team stomping around. Oh dear!

Zilan explained that the Pagoda Centre (Liverpool's Chinese youth and community centre) hasn't been painted in at least 10 years... maybe more. So we got to work smartening the place up, tackling the main office, three bathrooms and a corridor. It was a tricky job, working in close proximity to each other, to walls and furniture, as well as some dodgy paint and some rough drips. But all in all, we left the place in a much better state than we found it, feeling fresh and bright.

A big shout out and welcome to so many newbies: Davey, Esme, Ellie, Casey, Tafwauli and Fiona - you all did a fab job and we'd love you to run with us again soon!

After the task, it was uphill back to base. We stopped half way for a quick fitness session with half the group tackling hill (slope!) sprints and the other half doing some strengthening and conditioning drills. Everyone gave it there all.

Fantastic work folks, so great to have you on board!

Next week is our BIG CHRISTMAS RUN when we'll be jingling all the way to the Liverpool Irish Centre followed by drinks at Liverpool Arts Bar. Find out more and sign-up here.

New attendance record claxon!!! A gray day in October goes down in GoodGym Liverpool history as our highest single Group Run attendance (to date!) with a massive team of 34 runners helping out.

What a difference a week makes. Last Monday we dropped in to single figures for the first time in months, as only the brave showed up in torrential weather. A week later and we're tearing up the GoodGym Liverpool record book. Amazing stuff folks, thanks to everyone for being there.

This week's task was based at one of our favourite places and iconic Liverpool building, the Bombed Out Church. After a run around the back streets of less than a 1km we arrived feeling fresh. Following a short history lesson from Ambrose, custodian of this wonderful building, we were soon put to work. The church's seriously heavy wooden pews, which we've moved before multiple times, were a breeze to carry with so many hands to help.

After rearranging the furniture we split into two groups whom I shall casually term Team Mud and Team Broom. Team Mud's task was to shift a tonne of top soil one hundred metres before spreading it on a new bed. Dirty work, but satisfying. Meanwhile, Team Broom gave the steps surrounding the church (a daily hangout spot for folks waiting for the bus, snacking on take away and local homeless folks passing the day) a good old brush and weed, since they are always in need of a little LTC. Both teams made quick work of their tasks in spite of the fading light (head torches at the ready next week folks!).

A huge shout out, thank you and massive well done to Amy for her incredible recruitment drive, convincing half of her cheerleading squad to join GoodGym. And to all of the squad, thanks so much for coming and do join us again soon :)

After the task we nipped back up the hill and went to the Met Cathedral for our fitness session. (As usual) I may have overcomplicated the session a little but at its heat was team camaraderie, mixed running drills and of course, steps! Everyone worked super hard and got their hearts pumping but saved a little energy for our Strava segment on the way back to base.

Amazing efforts everyone! Thanks so much for being part of a record breaking evening of getting fit while doing good.

P.S. Kudos to Task Force who turned out on mass (all 12 of them!) for a really productive meeting post-run. Amongst other things, we started to look ahead towards the January Challenge...!!!! Watch. This. Space.