It's been a while since we visited the Walthamstow Toy Library, so it was like visiting an old friend when we walked in there today. Our task was to help set up for Walthamstow's main event this Sunday, the annual May Fair.

More on that in a moment first, here is some news you can use

There's a lot of miles getting laid down this weekend. First-off, we have the 'ackney 'arrf on Sunday, so g'luck to Nerys, Pippa, Clara, Raymond and I am sure I have forgotten one or two others. I'm hoping to spectate for some of the race if I can persuade my children that watching thousands of people running along a road is more fun than swings, slides and a sandpit. I should be somewhere between mile nine and ten as the race skirts Victoria Park. I hope I see you if you are running.

Importantly, they need volunteers to help with bag drops and stuff. Helpers get a free place at another Vitality race, so it's well worthwhile. Deets here

If you fancy a long run that isn't in East London at the weekend, look no further than the GoodGym monthly long run. It's down in south London and is sure to be the perfect blend of fitness and fun.

Okay, back tonight's Toy Story. No new GoodGymers tonight but a couple Waltham Forest first timers. In no particular order, we met Jen Copperwheat. Formerly of Croydon GG, Jen is also our contact at task destination, Greenleaf Road Baptist Church. We also said hello to Hackney veteran campaigner, Alex Passa. Greetings to Alex, has recently moved to Walthamstow and I am now trying to poach this hardworking runner from Hackney, please don't tell Joel Wiles

The Toy Library wasn't far, but I did forget to mention that it was uphill all the way, so we arrived pretty warm and ready to get stuck in. We had a variety of jobs including, setting up the tombola, cleaning windows, gardening and sweeping. Everyone beavered away and the place soon began to sparkle.

After that is was straight to Lloyd Park for some extra distance and drills. After a bit of an overrun at the task, I put the drills to the vote and it was carried unanimously; they were happening. Strides and returns times six was the tasks and some fabulous running form on show from all participants. Phew.

After that, it was back to Mirth and off home.

Don't miss out next week folks, we are back at an old favourite, St Mary's Churchyard for a spot of gardening.

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This morning we ran 5km just for the fun of it

This morning GoodGym runners met at Lloyd Park to take part in what is billed as the toughest parkrun in London. Let us know if you think it is. We had local GoodGym Croydon runners as well as some from Hackney, Lewisham, Bromley and a few other London locations that I didn’t write down! It was lovely to see you all.

It was a bit of a grey, damp and windy morning but that didn’t stop the GoodGym posse from proudly displaying their short-sleeved red t-shirts to all and sundry. Ivo was handed the megaphone just before the run and promoted GoodGym to the assembled runners – 240 in total – and then with the other runners headed off along the “undulating” course.

After the run some of the GoodGym crew worked the bar code scanning queue and handed out leaflets and spread the GoodGym word. Hopefully we will have sparked some interest in the runners. I also cunningly volunteered to write the parkrun report so there may well be a few mentions of GoodGym slipped in there. Thanks also go to Dom’s dad, Chris, for volunteering to take photos of the runners and I’ll be posting as many as possible. I’ll also look into having them posted on the Flickr account for Lloyd parkrun.

To warm up we headed into the Parklife café who have been very supportive of our recent runs with their retweeting, space for our leaflets and the video running on their big screen with the YouTube “Speed Volunteering” clip.

Thank you to everybody who turned up today and I hope you had a wonderful morning.