GoodGym Barnet run: A Cinematic Detour and a Compost Carry!

Last night’s GoodGym Barnet group run had a bit of a twist! With the Phoenix Cinema temporarily closed for refurbishment (exciting news—it’s getting a second screen!), we found ourselves without our usual starting point. But fear not! The fabulous Old White Lion pub has stepped in to host us for the next few weeks. A huge thanks to them for saving the day!

With our warm-ups complete and our route planned, we set off into the cool November mist, heading towards Northway Gardens. Our route followed the winding path of Mutton Brook, sneaking behind East Finchley tube station and through suburban streets before opening up into the lush greenery of Littleton Open Space. It’s always a treat to run alongside the brook, even if it’s more of a hidden gem in its early stretches.

At the community garden, we were greeted by our ever-enthusiastic host, Brian, who had plenty of jobs and even more local gossip to share. Armed with head torches and red lights, we got to work moving bags of compost to pots that needed emptying and refilling—a classic GoodGym task, perfect for a chilly evening.

Brian, ever the storyteller, entertained us with his thoughts on the new wooden posts designed to encourage pollinators (spoiler: he’s not a fan of the costs involved). Between shoveling compost and hearing his tales, it felt like a true community moment—lending a hand, catching up, and learning a thing or two about what’s happening in the neighborhood.

Once the task was done, we headed back to our new base at the Old White Lion for a well-deserved drink and some post-run chats.

It was a night of change, teamwork, and a touch of local history—classic GoodGym Barnet! We’ll be back next week, ready to make more of a difference (and maybe hear a few more of local stories). See you there!

If you missed this one, don’t worry—there’s plenty more to come! Join us next time for fitness, fun, and doing good in Barnet.

On a crisp, decidedly lovely autumn evening, GoodGym Barnet assembled as usual at the Phoenix Cinema, a place that’s rapidly becoming our own version of the Heart of Gold. There, we welcomed a brand-new member, Tom. Now, Tom had been orbiting the idea of joining GoodGym for years (which is quite a long time in the GoodGym galaxy). A seasoned marathoner, Tom has decided to explore the shorter but still wondrous distances of 5km and 10km. Naturally, we welcomed him aboard with open arms.

After gathering in the foyer— we stepped outside to do a warm-up. This involved a brief "introduction to ourselves" via the classic name and number routine. (And no, it’s not a prison roll call, though it has a certain futuristic formality to it.) There was also a brief foray into holiday reminiscing: tales of journeys to exotic lands like Turkey, Crete, Cornwall, Sicily, Belgium, and Denmark. Just your average list of places you'd pop off to when you're not saving the local community.

In no particular order, our heroic team of runners included:

Peter Rachel George Paul Tom Kubilay

give them a heroic shout out. click on the red link.

Our quest for the evening: a scenic dash down the High Street, past the station, chasing the gloriously glowing red and orange sunset towards our destination—Northway Community Gardens in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Here, the great guardian of the gardens, Brian, awaited.

Brian, by the way, is somewhat of a warrior. His sworn nemesis? Bureaucracy. And oh, how he battles it, defending the beauty of the gardens from the forces of inefficiency. Armed with his pruning shears and an unyielding passion for fighting the good fight, he welcomed us to the task at hand: litter picking, sweeping, and the ever-satisfying pruning.

The most heroic task, however, came in the form of litter fishing from the stream. Armed with litter pickers and the precarious balance of tightrope walkers, we reached over the banks to retrieve the offending debris. It was daring work—soggy, slightly treacherous, and mildly reminiscent of a low-budget action sequence, but we prevailed.

Once we'd tamed the litter and pruned the greenery into submission, we secured the garden shed (because all great quests involve a shed of some sort) and turned our weary feet back toward the Phoenix. The run back, now under cover of night, was peaceful and introspective. Some of us, brimming with energy, opted for bonus sprints around the quiet streets. Tom and Peter, in particular, blitzed through the sprints like the fleet-footed heroes they are.

Finally, we gathered back at our base—the Phoenix—for a well-earned warm-down. There, discounted beverages awaited, and we chatted about our adventure over drinks, basking in the glow of a job well done.

Thanks for coming and doing some good! And remember, don’t panic—we’ll be back next week for more heroics.

Tuesday evening, an intrepid group of GoodGym members assembled at the historic Phoenix Cinema with a dual mission: to help out at Northway Gardens and to get a good workout in the process. The warm summer air was perfect for running, and there was a palpable sense of camaraderie as the group gathered for a warm-up and discussed their summer plans.

Among the group were George and Phil, new to GoodGym, with George impressively having run all the way from home. Moya kindly volunteered to be the back marker, ensuring no one was left behind as the group set off at a gentle pace, weaving through East Finchley tube station and the quiet backstreets.

Once sufficiently warmed up, the group engaged in some Indian running, with sprints to the front keeping everyone on their toes. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the evening—a perfect backdrop for a run in a T-shirt.

Upon reaching Northway Gardens, the group met Brian, their host for the evening. Brian explained the tasks ahead and shared a bit of history: the gardens along Mutton Brook used to be maintained by four groundsmen, but now rely on community volunteers due to budget cuts.

The team split into two groups: one tackled the overgrown vegetation along the bank of the stream, while the other started on a disused flower bed, preparing it for replanting. With dedication and teamwork, they cleared the bed, spread mulch, and made the area ready for new plants. It was a rewarding experience, knowing their efforts would help rejuvenate the gardens for everyone to enjoy.

As the work wrapped up, the group headed back towards the Phoenix, incorporating some paired sprints around a circular track for a final burst of energy. It was a magnificent effort from everyone involved, with special kudos to George and Phil for their enthusiasm, Moya for ensuring the group stayed together, Theo for capturing the evening in photos, and Rachael, the ever-reliable stalwart of the team.

In the end, the evening was a perfect blend of fitness, community service, and socializing. GoodGym had not only contributed to the upkeep of Northway Gardens but also strengthened the bonds within their own group, proving once again that a little community spirit goes a long way.

great turn out today with Beattie, Rachel, Cloud, Moya, Theodore, Yesika and Cherian ready to help Brian do a bit of tidy up of Northway gardens.

we completed the task within 20 minutes and that gave us some time to do a series of sprints and forward and backward lunges on the way back to camp.

you all did amazing this evening! keep up your great work!

What an evening! The weather wasn't on our side last Tuesday and rain started to pour down as we were setting from the Phoenix cinema to our task.

Beattie, Rachel, Niki, Moya, Theodore and Cloud made it all the way to Northway Gardens under the rain where we met Simone. Unfortunately, by the time we got there we had to cancel the task as it was raining heavily and we agreed with Brian (the host) to reschedule it to another week.

We didn't let the weather define us though! We took shelter for 10 minutes which was a great opportunity for a group small talk and a bit of laughters. It was nice to welcome Simone back to Goodgym and we hope to see her soon again (maybe next Tuesday, Simone?)

Although we didn't complete the task, we run 4.3km under the rain and IT FELT so good!

Well done everyone!

A magnificent, seven GoodGym members came together at phoenix cinema to help support Northway Rose Gardens in Hampstead Garden suburb. It’s a community project, that is self funded and needs local community, support and financing. Brian had asked us to deliver some leaflets asking for sponsorship of the gardens from local streets, We were happy to oblige! Cloud our newly qualified run leader took us through a warmup before we headed to meet Brian and deliver the leaflets. It turned out to be a lovely evening with the cherry trees blossoming. Great running everyone! Let’s also give a shout out to Jyothsna ( Joe) who has only just started running. 6km a fantastic effort! just goes to show when you put your mind to something how quickly things can change.

Have a great holiday Beattie & Rachel. We will miss you!