Slightly exhausted after helping with deliveries last night, and ahead of starting their own Christmas Day celebrations, three GoodGymers headed to Worthing parkrun.

John set up and parkwalked, Belinda ran the show as Run Director and results processor. Roxy welcomed finishers by barcode scanning.

With Ryan, Sarah, Sue W, and Gill also out on the course we enjoyed the best way to start a Christmas day.

Given the weather forecast in other parts of the country we were rather anxious that Worthing parkrun might have to be called off but luckily the worst of the wind and rain managed to leave us alone. Eight of us turned out to volunteer and several of us ran.We volunteer as Goodgym at Worthing parkrun a few times during the year and Ricky had suggested this task as a way of marking his ten years to date as a "Worthingite". Goodgym and parkrun have played a significant part in his activities during that time so it was a good way to celebrate! At his first ever parkrun Belinda and John were the first two people he met and spoke to and little did he know he would meet them again just two days later at his first Goodgym task! Today was also John's 250th occasion of parkrun volunteering.

Ricky got up extra early to do the course check, Belinda was Run Director, Barbara and Daisy were marshals, John, Ryan and Sarah helped with set up and/or close-down and Gill was a parkwalker. When it came to running, there were around 500 participants and Ricky achieved his fastest time this year since his recovery from injury. After parkrun we wll went off for coffee and results processing.

It mattered today! Overnight rain and a strong westerly breeze made for a tough run/walk for the 578 individuals committed enough to take part. And GoodGym was there in support.

What goes around, sometimes disappears!

Before running, Sue took responsibility for the ever important course check. The all clear was declared and the run could proceed. It turned out that there was indeed much more space at the "Galloper" location than in previous weeks.

It's a set up. Again

John as usual assisted with set up, ensuring a long and winding funnel to keep the finishers busy as they head through to be scanned.

Not wild, not west

Unusually, Belinda was not in the role of Sheriff today. She was designated Marshal - and that's not a promotion as it was in the days of the Wild West US of A. Along with John she provided eyes on the course, focused on cheering and safety.

Bah, Brr, Ah

No, not Barbara, she's on a ultra volunteer shift (two actually) elsewhere! It was Roxy who braved the cold, mobile in hand, to scan those finishers.

It's a wrap

With Ryan and Sarah assisting with the clear up and close down after running parkrun ended and coffees beckoned.

It was GoodGym

It's always fun helping at parkrun. We try to have a GoodyGym volunteer focus once a month. Don't forget though, parkrun is not just for GoodGym! Recently there has been a shortage of volunteers for essential roles. It's a great reason to be up and out on a Saturday morning, and a lovely community to be part of.

and so does Worthing GoodGym. 14 goodgymers volunteered to support the 692 parkrun finishers as March arrived bringing with it the feeling that spring may actually be here.

It’s a set up

Sue A, under the close supervision of John, arrived nice and early to help with set up. Poles hammered in, rope and tape installed, it was time for Sue to cast her GoodGym top aside and display her running club allegiance.

Showing the way

There were three GoodGym Marshals out on the course. Ricky found a position along the prom to cheer and support the runners. Paula and Barbara were given bright yellow signs to take out marshalling, basically warning the general public to exercise caution in their vicinity.

Ropey start

No, not Belinda’s RD missive. John P, Daisy, Anne and Sue held the rope that separates parkrunners from those who haven’t found parkrun yet!

Run director, run

It was reported that Belinda’s dulcet tones could be heard from quite a distance away today. It was just at the start she couldn’t be heard due to the constant chat of eager parkrunners who feel they’ve ‘heard it all before’. Belinda took the opportunity to share all about GoodGym and how it contributes to the local community, as well as having fun and getting fit. There was a special shoutout to John P who was volunteering at parkrun for the 25th time. Although not a GoodGymer, we are all very fond of John P. We only have as many socials in the pub as we do because then we get to see John P who is often tempted along to join us.

More than a token gesture

Belinda took the opportunity to spread concern by encouraging Anne in her belief that the tokens may run out. Frankly, we’ve no idea why Anne was concerned - surely if they did run out she would be quick enough to catch up!

As time goes by

One of our elder statesmen, Paul, oversaw the finish line. Clicking his ticker at every passing pair of feet.

Funnel

There was no ducking responsibility for Sue W on funnel management, and no funnel ducking allowed. There is a perverse pleasure in watching an exhausted runner stagger over the finish line to be told to keep on moving through the never-ending funnel created earlier by John and Sue A.

Breaking the Barcode

Roxy, who took a pause in her long, long, run attended the Daisy school of barcode scanning in order to be ready for the steady onslaught of runners finish tokens being thrust eagerly towards them.

Run baby, run….

Sue A, Ryan, Sarah and Craig who ran as well as volunteering were joined on the course by Jay with his juggernaut, Olivia filled, buggy. Gill, as often happens, ran amongst the throng chatting with her running pals.

Post event clowning

As usual when Sarah, Ryan and Craig contribute to closedown they turned the finish area into their own personal playground. No flagfighting this time, just competitive banner folding. Who won? There is no result, the banner remains unfolded.

Taking the biscuit

Results were processed supported by hot chocolate and biscuits. John and Ricky were happy to take responsibility for biscuit demolition whilst Belinda ensured the 692 runners got their correct times.

Half the battle

Our local parkrun is finding it increasingly difficult to fill the roster each week. On a normal Saturday (that is, one that doesn’t happen to be pre half marathon rest day for many) with 14 GoodGymers we would have filled half the roster. Let’s see if we can do even better next month. And don’t forget, parkrun volunteering isn’t just available on our monthly GoodGym promotion occasions.

The final Saturday of the January Challenge saw Worthing GoodGym well represented at our local parkrun. Two volunteering, and five running the course racking up those essential kilometres. We are so close to hitting our target.

Hip, hip, hip. Hooray!

Only Me

This is week three of our January GoodGym support month for parkrun. Unusually, with Belinda off on a clandestine, top secret mission, I ventured down to parkrun alone assisting in the finish funnel setup. After the funnel was set and chatting all things GoodGym with anyone who was interested I headed off to the start.

Please tell

What! You don't want to hear about my morning?You want me to tell you what Belinda was up to? I can't! It's top secret! Oh, go on then...........

A secret spilled

It started with a pre 5am alarm. A quick check on current travel conditions allowed a half hour snooze to be initiated. Once up and ready Belinda headed out to her car and set off in the direction of

(sorry you have exceeded the maximum length of report permitted)