Our annual BIG CHRISTMAS RUN was a sparkling success with 18 runners going 6km to help the Liverpool Irish Centre.

For the second year, we marked the last run while everyone is still in town (one final last run next week for folks who are still here!) with a trip to the Liverpool Irish Centre - a community hub and base for language learning and traditional music - to decorate their bar area. And for the second year, this also involved customising our red t-shirts with festive trimmings, leading to more than a few bemused looks from pedestrians and honks aplenty from drivers.

We were warmly greeted at the centre (a little too warm, it was boiling in there!) by Clodagh and handed boxes of slightly random decorations plus orange squash and chocolates. Without blutac or sellotape, the team came up with some ingenious hanging solutions and the place was soon fully decked out!

Once finished, we gate crashed the children's Christmas party in the room next door and rather than a fitness session, played a round of musical statues. Chris H. was our last man standing and did a fab job of balancing (don't mention that he was beaten by an eight year old!).

How can I pick the best outfit? There were so many great efforts! So here's a shout out to Molly, who ran 6km dressed as a giant Christmas present; to Ro-dolf, who ran while wearing a red flashing nose; to Pauline for an entirely festive outfit from head to toe; and to Baptiste for his Mrs. Claus drag outfit, over his much awaited (by me, not him!) RED t-shirt.

Everyone looked fab and we were even back-marked by our own Sam-ta Claus!

After the run, we headed to a local pub for a festive social and were joined by 3 others who couldn't make the run but wanted to join the fun. Thanks to everyone for being such good sports and bringing the Christmas spirit to GG Lpool. What a special team I have!

At the pub, we talked about our running goals for 2020 and I'll be picking up this conversation with all of you again soon!!!!

Next week is our FINAL Group Run of 2019 so sign-up here. If you can't wait until then, there's a Community Misson on Sunday morning. See you then!

P.S. Kudos to John who came up with this pun way back in the April, and to me for remembering it! ;)

This is a tale of 2 Christmas trees, 5 filing cabinets, a stack of chairs and 17 runners. Pull up a chair and get comfortable and then we'll begin...

Twas the night before Tuesday and all through Liverpool lights were glistening in trees. Up in the Georgian Quarter, a dream team of 17 red-clad runners meandered through the city streets, elegantly side-stepping pedestrians, hopping over wet leaves and patiently waiting at traffic lights.

Soon the team came upon a magnificent building, shining through the darkness, with the letters LCVS emblazoned on its front. They stepped inside where a humble gnome (ahem, security guard) gave directions onwards to a new land behind a locked door, and there, they would make magic happen....

It's NOT EVEN THE 1st DECEMEBER! So that's enough of that.

It was our first visit to Irish Community Care Merseyside but we were greeted like old friends with warm smiles, squash and biscuits. The bulk of the task was to help move around office furniture, ahead of the orgainsations' office down-sizing in January. The team made light work of carrying heavy filing cabinets, bookshelves and stacks of chairs.

Next door, in true Krypton Factor style, a sub-team managed to assemble two Christmas trees before decorating the entire reception area (and each other, right Molly and Baptiste!?!).

With the task finished in record time, the team was suppppppeeeerrrrr excited for an extra long fitness session. Their excitement levels rose as the rain became to pour while we ascended back to the Georgian Quarter. Once outside the Metropolitan Cathedral it was deemed too wet to do our usual steps based session there, so instead we did high knee drills and a little strengthening and conditioning. Fun times!

Fantastic work, one and all. Well done to you for beating this damp winter and continuing to get fit while doing good - you are the bees knees!

More of the same next week; sign-up today!

Until then, happy running <3

P.S. Kudos to Tim for coming up with a pun (again!!).

14 bold runners managed not to get blown away in 45km/hr winds as they ran 3km to help a local charity shop.

This week GoodGym Liverpool smashed through the 1,500 good deeds barrier. In just 20 months, this dream team has clocked all of those good deeds by helping amazing organisations and scores of elderly people throughout the wider Liverpool area (and sometimes beyond!). This has been achieved by the combined efforts of 174 runners! Check out our stats page here for more.

This week's Group Run took us on a rare route through the city centre, dodging deliveries and heckles/encouragement as we went. The short run ended at the local charity shop for the national charity Scope. Our task was to sort through a mountain of winter wear bags, sorting, tagging and hanging the various jumpers, coats, trousers and hats. With first class team work, it was 40 minutes well spent and the manager of the shop was really pleased with the results.

This week's special shout out goes to Christine who is getting married THIS Saturday - congrats lovely!

After we'd finished at the task we tackled the hilly route home and enjoyed some walking lunges down the back streets.

Thanks again to everyone who came out on such a windy, dark night. Only the brave run at this time of year and you are all heroes to me.

Next week is one of our last outdoor tasks of the year, when we go competitive flyering in Kenny. Wrap up warm folks and let me know you're coming here.