On Friday, a colourful crew of GoodGym members laced up (or turned up!) for the Rainbow Run — a joyful, inclusive 5K hosted by the Brighton & Hove Frontrunners as part of Pride celebrations.

Some of us came to run, proudly wearing rainbow socks, sequins, and smiles. Others showed up to marshal the route with enthusiasm and cheers, keeping runners safe and spirits high. And of course, a few GoodGym-ers made it their mission to cheer, snap photos, and support with the energy only our group can bring.

After the last runners crossed the line, most of us stuck around to help with the less glamorous but just as vital job of dismantling the race area — yes, that meant taking down bunting, taking out flags and poles, and de-glittering whatever we could.

The Rainbow Run wasn’t just a 5K — it was a celebration of inclusion and visibility, open to ALL runners: those who run fast or slow, those who run alone or with others, those who run on both sides of the road, those who cross the road when running, those who run in secret and those who don’t. The Rainbow Run was for everyone.

A huge thank you to Graham from B&H Frontrunners for all the brilliant organising and ideas that made the event run smoothly, to Rosie and Pippa for suggesting we get involved in the first place, and to El, who travelled all the way from Worthing to join the fun.

We wrapped up the day in true GoodGym style — with a picnic in the park. There was sunshine, laughter, great company, and yes — of course — I brought hummus. It also happened to be my birthday, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend it than surrounded by this wonderful GoodGym community. I’m so grateful for the joy, the support, and the shared silliness — truly the best birthday gift of all. 🌈💪🏃‍♀️🎉

While the world may be getting harder out there, events like Rainbow Run remind us why it matters to come together, to celebrate, and to keep running — for joy, for each other, and for a more colourful world.

On a gusty evening with glorious clouds, GoodGym Brighton saw a large turnout to celebrate eight incredible years of community missions, group runs and races. To mark the occasion, the group was split into two teams, one meeting at the Queen Victoria statue in Brighton and one meeting at the Peace Statue in Hove, the usual starting points for weekly GoodGym group runs, for a scavenger hunt, tracking down locations (including the odd GoodGym task venue) and numerical answers from a set of tricksy clues devised by GoodGym's ownLiam (for the Brighton hunt route) and Ben (for the Hove one).

Showing their mental acuity is as sharp as their Strava stats, the GoodGym teams bounded through all the required cryptic hoops to successfully deduce the answers, and the teams came together near the twin local icons of the Brighton i360 and the Upside Down House. The sum of all the clues for both teams unlocked a padlock to a golden litter picker, the evening's team captains Philippa and Rosie high-fiving with the collaborative spirit that typifies GoodGym Brighton.

The event was rounded off with a swift beach litter clearance and a lavish picnic sheltered near the shore, featuring a wide variety of drinks, fruit, crisps, falafel, salads, home-made cake and even GoodGym biscuits. All against the backdrop sound of the GoodGym banner flapping in the wind. Or was it applauding?

Sample scavenger hunt clues

Pinocchio's, Brighton (answer = 22)

Meander on down to Brighton's very own West End and catch a show if you have time. Performers might take the odd artistic liberty, but at what number do you find one who has bit more trouble fibbing?

Palmeira Square Floral Clock, Hove (answer = 9)

By no means a limp area! In the middle of traffic time works differently. When the time is next on the hour what would the time o'clock be then?

It's always happy times o' clock at GoodGym! Further afield, Carla and Stefania were getting involved in another hunt, of alpacas 🦙😊.

Thanks Juliet for pulling together this amazing group session and all for the great team work.

Happy birthday GoodGym Brighton! 🌈🎉🎂

Most GoodGym volunteers report high levels of satisfaction, with a strong sense of making a difference and increased social connection being key drivers to getting fit while making good.

At our group session yesterday, 11 handy GoodGymers fulfilled their expectations while volunteering to scrape weeds from the streets of Hanover 😊. After running uphill, we gathered in Islingword road to meet Chancellor Tim Rowkins and other residents who engaged with the session by handing over their tools and help, including Rose and Elaine.

Firstly, we manually pull-out weeds, ensuring to get the roots to prevent regrowth, and we then cleared all around to make the area looking well tidied up. Thanks City Clean Tidy Up Team for providing brooms and shovels! We managed to save the Red Valerian, known as Centranthus Ruber – a perennial herb with deep pink, almost crimson, flowers that are commonly found growing alongside roadside verges and on old stone walls, in bungaroosh. Did you know that Bungaroosh is a composite building material first introduced by the Romans and used almost exclusively in the English seaside resort of Brighton? I didn’t.

It was another of our Good sessions, helping Brighton & Hove council to keep our city streets clean! Cllr Tim Rowkins, deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Net Zero & Environmental Services of Brighton & Hove City Council, also updated us on the major plans to expand recycling to include all plastics and food waste in Brighton & Hove. Very Good!

Marshaling at Queens Park Junior Parkrun. Hi-5s all round and 38 children has fun running round the park

When I heard that a beach hut owner in Hove had chosen to paint her hut in the colours of my home county's flag—and that she was being asked to remove it—I felt something stir deeply in me. This wasn’t just about paint. It was about identity, history, and the quiet courage to be seen.

She bought that hut with her own hard-earned money. It was hers. And she used it to express something that mattered to her—and to many of us. So when the chance came to help her repaint it, I didn’t hesitate. I showed up with a plat of Hummus in hand and a heart full of emotion.

What the council—and others—might not realise is that those colours are not just stripes. They are stories.

Black represents mourning and sorrow over generations of injustice. It’s the silence over the laughter of children that has been stifled for far too long.

White is for peace and love—a reminder of peaceful messages and a longing for hearts unclouded by hate.

Green speaks to hope, renewal, and the dream that our barren land may once again flourish.

Red lives in defense of family, land, and dignity.

Each colour is a reflection of lived reality. Of loss. Of strength. Of faith in a better tomorrow.

Helping repaint that hut was one of the most emotional things I’ve done. With each brushstroke, we weren’t just covering wood—we were holding space for something sacred. A home. A memory. A people.

That beach hut was never meant to divide. It was a quiet form of expression. A personal symbol of pride, resilience, and longing for peace.

I only wish more people could see it that way.

Today’s mission saw me cycling in from Lewes along the old Rover Road – a route that turned out to be unexpectedly challenging, thanks to a surprise 200-step slope that required me to carry my bike! But once I arrived at Mrs J’s house, the real task was thankfully a lot easier.

Joined by the ever-cheerful Sherman, we got to work widening a gap in Mrs J’s privet hedge. The aim? To make space for her bins to be collected easily, sparing her the need to drag them up steep steps every week.

Mrs J was a warm and welcoming host, introducing us to her lovely dogs and daughter. She’d sadly lost her husband the year before and had reached out for help through the estate. We were glad to be there.

With a pair of shears, some teamwork, and a bit of pruning finesse, we got the job done in good time. It was simple, satisfying work – one of those small acts of kindness that just feels right.

As a North London GoodGymer, it was a real pleasure to do a bit of “GoodGym tourism” down in Brighton – enjoying the ride, meeting new faces, and being part of a community that always finds a way to make a difference.

Thanks to Sherman and to Brighton for the warm welcome!