Update: Photos are now ready: Please click this link for the wonderful pictures of the day taken by Tom Hunter and Sarah Rajabalee Photos

Well what a day, on Saturday 3rd August I checked the weather forecast and was relieved to see the chances of rain was limited, however what they failed to say was just over Hampstead heath, there was going to be from 12 o’clock onwards flashes of red thunder would be seen. The local residents should have been warned a sea of red was heading to Hampstead heath armed with cakes, carved vegetables, frying pans and bags full of energy, witnesses said that it was very infectious.

So after lots of emails and badge/medal making the third GoodGym Olympics took place. Over 160 folks from all over the GoodGym community came to London to compete in the annual sports day. Events on offer were classic running events such as the 400m and elimination mile to more novel but just as serious ones such as the egg and spoon and a first time entry the Bucket stilt relay. The day was amazing and brought together some fantastic competition and lovely fun sprint. We saw photo finishes on so many races including a tense 100m to a mass final lap on the 5,000m, the energy and sprite was amazing and just sums up GoodGym.

This years event had a marching band created from a competition I set up to create an Olympic anthem, James and Laura from Lambeth created two entries and Mark, Lambeth leader, joined them together to make an amazing effort and brought together a number of musicians to create a marching band for the day, it was beyond words. Alongside the events we had a loads of lovely baked goods taking part in the bake off and some amazing carved vegetables in the veg competition. I have included a few pictures as they say it better than my typed words. Loads of new things were introduced this year from medals hand made from clay, amazing village games, area badges and temporary tattoos which all look great.

I have organised this for the last three years and every year folks contributions and enthusiasm amazes me and makes it all worth it, although this is a lot of work to put it together there are a number of people whose effort and ensure the days goes on without any hitches, from the first aiders to the commentators, timing team, village games organisers, start of the day setting uppers, marshals, bake off helpers and bakers, loads and loads of people. Also mega shout out to the areas that travel far and wide to come, you made such an effort and it was lovely you made the effort, shout out to Colchester, Bristol, Brighton, Oxford, Portsmouth and York

When I can compile the results I can find I will make them public as with when more photos come available. Anyhow, thank you so much for coming and getting involved it was truly a great day and everyone contributed to it. Next year as we have had three years in London, I am looking for an area outside to host it, stay tunes for announcements coming up in the next few months.

Nice one, Tom

What a night to finish on! We had a record breaking 29 runners turn up for the run and a bumper packed night of fun.

It was my last night as trainer of Hammersmith & Fulham Goodgym and our had task cancelled, so I organised a giant fitness session in the from of kids and party games.

Before we left for our session, we congratulated Ellie on reaching 49 Good Deeds. Next week, will be her 50th good deed - bagging her a snazzy black t-shirt. Go Ellie!

After the welcome round up we headed outside for a warm up next to the bike lane, making sure to include shooing the chickens one last time! Then we ran to Ravenscourt Park. This was an easy 1.4km, so we did a lap of the park on arrival. Here we pick up some late arrivals and had a surprise appearance from Pritesh (the Brent trainer).

Let the Games commence

First up on the games night, was my favourite - Stuck in the Mud. All the runners with names beginning with A were ‘it’. Runner could only release other runners from the mud by doing three squat jumps together. Can you see Chi and Jason hiding in the photos?

Foot Loose

Next up, a new version of Musical Statues. The runners had to run on the spot whilst Footloose played. Once the music stopped the runners had to balance on one leg. If you toppled over, your out. Over half the group made it all the way through the song!

Technique Time

Game number three was the technique relay. Each leg of the relay was made up of different running technique drills. See photos for winners picture.

Extreme Duck Duck Goose

Same rules as usual, but the ducks had to do strengthening exercises whilst waiting to be “goose”.

Get good at stealing

Next, a running drill called “raid the goal”. Each team had a nest of Haribo. The aim was to steal Haribo from the opposite teams nest to add to their own.

Abs-olute workout

Our last game was also an ab workout. We played Pass the Parcel whilst doing ab exercises and listening to the Top Gun soundtrack. After everyone had recovered we grabbed a great group shot in the park and headed back to base via the river. Then it was on to Wagamama’s for dinner.

Thanks to all the amazing effort put in last night and for the last year and a bit of my time with H&F.

H&F runners rock and I will miss you all. Keep up the fantastic work.

Happy running xxxx

Ten tremendous GoodGymmers ran 6 kilometers to deliver flyers for the Phoenix Cinema.

(that pun? Yeah, I went there https://open.spotify.com/track/4IYKjN1DrYzxKXt0umJqsG)

For world mental health day, GoodGym has partnered with Thrive LDN, a new charity that is promoting health and well being for Londoners. Being GoodGym, we know all about getting fit and doing good. Here in Barnet, we don't normally need any encouragement for a good chat, but we decided that we'd be extra chatty tonight - it's good to talk guys - while doing lots of running and delivering our flyers.

Meeting at the Phoenix, we were joined by Fati and Ina, both joining us for their first ever GoodGym run. Go give them a cheer!

Every two months or so we deliver flyers for the Phoenix (themselves a charity doing brilliant things in the local area) so tonight we gathered up bundles of leaflets for the cinema's October - November season. Graham and I stuffed our bags full, while everyone else gamely took bundles in their hands.

After a quick warm up, we set off. As we were flyering the local area, we decided to do a 2k loop to get those legs moving. Jack and Graham were joining us from their exploits at the Oxford Half Marathon (it looked so great, give them a cheer) while Jacqui had run a casual 10k on Sunday in the Adidas City Run, after I saw her in the pub on Saturday night: love it.

Once we reached our targeted roads, we split into teams. Paul took the right side of the road with his team, while Nicola led on the left. (Nicola and Paul are our two new recruits for the Barnet task force: welcome!)

Guys, we posted so many leaflets.

Using the tried and tested relay method, we quickly covered 4 big residential roads and delivered all of the leaflets, with hills and some absolutely giant driveways not putting anyone off.

From there, we headed back to base, but not before a couple of running drills. Firstly, we used the end of Southern Road, closed to the traffic, to run in pairs at a nice fast pace to pick up our heels a bit. After that, we attacked Indigo Walk, a tricky alleyway that seems to go on forever, getting steeper as you go. The team did brilliantly and we celebrated with an easy run to base from there.

After a stretch and some high fives, we ate biscuits. Tradition.

This week's Barnet Biscuit was Jammy Dodgers.

See you soon!!

D