Well the Christmas community  spirit was in tremendous force on all three fronts for the good gym Christmas  partae:

1) THE HIGH-Achievements : We celebrated our goodgym park run awards, not just about celebrating runs, stickers, or times but about celebrating people. Especially Sallyann Sallyann who thought of this amazing park run sticker contest and who always encourages with relentless enthusiasm no matter at which level or in what way. But little did Sallyann realise in 2025 she had not only encouraged Bekah to run her first 10K, Heetu for >10K, whole bunch of us to 25K trail, Jess to become runleader but also encouraged the fiesty little sticker monsters in us all!

Here are the standout moments...

🏆 Top Attendance Awards

Lucien Lucien: first place. The heart of the group, showing up every week despite health challenges, keeping stickers and cards ready, and supporting everyone with consistency and warmth (13/13).

BekahBekah: joint second. From non-runner to regular supporter, now running consistently and encouraging new and returning runners (10/13).

Sian Siân: joint second. Balanced PhD studies and family visits while still showing up, running effortlessly and supporting the group (10/13).

Amina: close fourth. Champion of stickers, always checking in on people, and ensuring we had 13 sticker days this year (7/13).

🌟 Special Recognitions

Leo Leonardo: New this year, became an ambassador, spreading the word and even scoring café discounts (6/13).

StephSteph: Validated nerves at the start line, always pulling out strong runs (6/13).

ElileEleanor: Sacrificed her run to secure café tables for the group (5/13).

Jess Jessica: Supportive and knowledgeable, became our new run leader (4/13).

MiriamMiriam: Came to film, ended up running her first parkrun (4/13).

SophieSophie: Offered calm conversation that helped others overcome fears (3/13).

JoJo: Completed parkruns all year across locations, volunteering at junior parkruns (3/13).

LiamLiam: Ran before flying halfway across the world to Costa Rica (3/13).

DikeDike: Fastest runner, always waiting at the end with a smile (3/13).

Dan: Ray of sunshine, excellent runner, now in London (2/13).

HeetuHeetu: Worked abroad most of the year, but brought enthusiasm when present (2/13).

Afrah: Showed up despite a demanding charity job and freezing weather (1/13).

Laura: Returned after two years with family, looking like she’d never been away (1/13).

💖 Spirit of GoodGym

Every award reflects more than running—it’s about friendship, encouragement, and small acts that ripple outwards. Sallyann and Lucien’s dedication, despite not being able to run always, embodies the very essence of GoodGym: consistency, support, and community.

2) THE FAT- The Grub: upon arriving there was a vast array of options to try on our Christmas buffet and drinks cabinet!!!

Variety of from almost all continents Africa, South America, New Zealand, Vietnam ... -Brie and cranberry swirls care of Siân -Salt n peppa sausage rolls care of Bekah -Amazing chicken lickin care of Dike -Most gorgeous perfectly portioned ratios mini mince pies care of Jessica -oh there was so much more to mention but I am just making myself hungry!

But really thank you absolutely everyone for everything you bought to the party it was a lovely collective effort to bring everyone together to catch up on the year over some very tasty bites.

3) THE FUTURE-Aspirations: : we also made a to do list for 2026 from starting the 1st day of 2026 with a run, to attend more GG sessions/missions/runleadering, grow our team/charities we help and of course for all our sticker monster addicts more park-runs/breakfasts/tourism!
In conclusion what a fab partae and the only other thing we can aspire to is better christmas tunes!

So each of you has made this year unforgettable. Whether you ran, volunteered, cheered, finding a café or simply shared a coffee afterwards, you’ve built something connected and special. Every person is a winner so here’s to more miles, more smiles, and more memories together for 2026 where the sticker fanaticism continues!

On the first day of December, whilst the last of the evening showers continued, 6 determined Goodgymmers met at our usual suitcases spot for the run to the task. This was to be my supervised run session to consolidate my Goodym fitness leader training. I was grateful for the motivated bunch that met me in the rain, showing that classic Goodgym Liverpool support.

After a welcome and warm up, we weaved through the streets of Liverpool Central, to finish at the 2km mark on Park lane, where Bekah was waiting to welcome us. Joined by Lucian and Elaine, we were ready to start our evenings task.

The idea of clearing some of the more persistent nettles and thistles had Lucien eagerly rushing into the Park Lane garden to get stuck in Bekah , on the other hand, had an hour of exposure therapy. She braved her fears to provide much needed light and nettle spotting expertise for the group!

After an hour of weeding, a little bit of December and January planning and the mandatory group photo, the runners set off back up the notorious parliament hill! Having well tested our fitness levels, we arrived at the suitcases for a much need stretch. I was thankful to receive some lovely feedback from the group. We said our goodbyes and headed off into the night towards home. Another successful task completed!

After a bumper turnout last week to welcome visitors from London, six of us made it out for our official Sticker Parkrun Day. Storm Claudia had brought rain and wind to the area the day before, but Saturday greeted us with a calm—if grey—morning. On days like this, it can take a real effort to get up and out, but what the weather lacked was more than made up for by the warmth of seeing the GoodGym crew gather together. Warm hearts, sunshine smiles, and off we went for our 11th monthly parkrun. Kudos to Jess, who crossed the finish line on an apt 11k, having run from home beforehand!.

Bekah was kind enough to keep me company around the course, and as we trotted along we found ourselves planning some future GoodGym events. A shout-out is definitely needed here: Bekah used to always say she couldn’t talk while running, and now she’s full-on planning mode mid-parkrun. (Progress isn’t just about times, Bekah!) Lucien was ready at the finish to greet us with the much-sought-after stickers. GoodGym Liverpool Parkrun 2025 relies heavily on his organisational skills and steady presence — or, as I alway think, on him being “the responsible adult.”

As someone who is very motivated by the post-parkrun breakfast, I’m always super impressed that Steph and Amina both turn up and run even though often commitments mean they have to leave and skip breakfast. Its always so lovely to hang out before and after parkrun with them both whilst we are doing the Goodgym equivalent of herding kittems for the post parkrun photo.

Today Lucien Bekah and myself were joined by Mo who we had met last week at parkrun and we headed to breakfast at The Golden Brunch. Over a hearty breakfast we discussed our next session which Mo is hoping to join us for.

We only have one monthly parkrun left for 2025 why not join us on December 5th and end the twelve months of Goodgym Liverpool does parkrun

Lovely dark dry night we headed off to a new spot, with Urban Grow Liverpool. Several runners from the suitcases, some from home, couple of cyclists and others met us at the urban growing space. It was a great turn out and also so lovely to have our smiley Laura Laura back!

We sadly needed to help dismantle Urban Grow’s raised beds as they were being moved out of their current home trying to find a new one.

So we all got into the task immediately all our hands like little piranha teeth removing all the “mattress-meat” in the raised beds leaving only the springs and frame carcass behind!

The original planters better described as a hugglekultur beds with logs and wood at the bottom with all the soil around them were swiftly turned into 15 plus a car full of compost bags (full of very huggly cultured soil).

We could not believe we devoured the task in less than 40 minutes which was very satisfying plus being likened to efficiency of piranhas made our day!

We can’t wait to hear where the huggly cultured soil ends up and wish Urban Grow lots of luck in finding their next new home!