Loads of excellent people ran VERY FAR to collect Christmas gift donations for Evolve Housing

It was Lambeth's last run before Christmas and so we had some lovely visitors from other boroughs. We were heading off on a monster run to pick up gift donations from Clapham Junction and deliver them to Evolve Housing's office in Stockwell.

There were two run options: a 5km Santa Dash, with a bus to Stockwell and a 10km All the Trimmings. We set off through the bright lights of Clapham and past the Winter Wonderland on the Common. On reaching our collection point in Clapham Junction, we discovered many DVD donations and also some clothes. People picked up a few items each and then we divided into the bus gang and runners and off we went to Stockwell.

Once the gifts were all safely delivered, we went back to base for some stretches and then headed to the pub for some festive drinks. Katie gave out some Shit Prize of the Month and Year - it was a very tense moment!

On distance, Judy Reid smashed it for the ladies but overall winner was Michael, who has been a steady and committed runner since joining GoodGym and really clocked up those miles (1332km and counting!). Then we were onto the thing that GoodGym is all about: GOOD DEEDERY.

A massive commendation has to go to Frances, who has clocked up 54++ good deeds since joining in April. In third place came David, with 89, second place, Tom Hunter with 92 and the winner of Shit Prize of the Year went to the birthday boy himself Tom Benson with a ridiculous 102 good deeds!

All deeds and distances correct as of Monday evening so now they are EVEN MORE!

We ate lots of cake and generally were merry. What a brilliant year it has been. Thank you to everyone who makes Lambeth a success week in, week out. You really are the best!

Tonight it was round 2 as we once again met Nicola from A Mile In Her Shoes to help sort kit donations. We had 12 lovely runners including one newcomer Emily, big welcome!

We mixed things up tonight and did a hill session before the task by running over the the infamous West Walk to complete a few reps. To encourage/bribe the runners I promised prizes for the first person up the hill each sprint rep. Michael K and was first over the line on attempt number one and looked like he'd really worked hard for his haribo reward and second time round Tim bounded to victory to claim the treasured red GoodGym laces. Good work from everyone all round!

We then jogged down to The Kings Arms (a massive thank you to them for hosting us for the past two weeks) to start on the new batch of donations to sort. We had a few different things crop up this evening including an array of running knickers with delightful motifs printed on the bum, unfortunately not very useful for the charity but a good source of entertainment for the group!

Again even though there was a mountain to sort through this evening we got it all done and everything is now ready to be given out women who are finding their feet through running with this great charity. We will continue to work with A Mile In Her Shoes in the future but if you'd like to be involved more in the meantime head over to their facebook page and think about popping along to their free fun running fitness session on 16th December.

Last but not least a little shout out for Michael C who looked after Hannah on the run tonight as she is a little injured, it's lovely to see everyone working together and looking out for each other.

Great job tonight everyone, happy running!

9 GoodGymers ran 6-7km, delivered 150 leaflets for Syrian Refugee & smashed a fitness session!

Lovely to be leading GG Barnet again, you guys are great! The weather was getting wetter all day, thank you for coming along and doing good - means a lot.

Of course a massive well done to Pennie who conquered New York Marathon last Sunday, absolutely amazing work! Give her a cheer when you see her next Tuesday. In other news:

1. It's the last GG Monthly Drinks of the year tomorrow (Thursday 9th) in Stratford - come along!
2. There is gonna be a GG 2018 Calendar, check it out here on the facebook group.
3. GG Raceteam are taking part in Cross-Country this weekend, three more fixtures in the season if you want to join #RedThunder

Right onto to last night, after our intro and chat about upcoming Barnet missions, like this one, we headed off into the night - taking to the back streets to Muswell Hill and into the residential area close to Ally Pally. Splitting into pairs we covered roads in the area to spread the word about a new Syrian Refuge Charity in Finchley.

The event we were promoting was a Syrian Kitchen fundraiser on 30th November, a lovely local event to help a brilliant cause. With all the leaflets distributed we took a group pic before heading back into the night.

Ally Pally fun!

Running over to Ally Pally the rain was getting a little harder but of course that doesn't put off these hardcore Barnetites. Fitness session included:

• Two sets of shuttle runs using lamposts as a marker
• Squats & balancing exercises
• Distance shuttles, for 10 seconds & then 5 seconds

Always brilliant to do speed sessions in groups! After our 2km run home we stretched out and said our goodbyes. Well done all, lovely wet evenings running & good-doing.

Sign up for Barnet next week here, Pennie is back!

PB out.