Big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped out at their local parkrun today! Well done for getting out to facilitate the events in what has become a rare public health success (according to The Times)!

Maimoona was timekeeping at Woodbank parkrun along with Hazel who helped with the pre-event set up and marshalled one of the corners. 263 runners and walkers completed the 5 km route for event number 768.

Juno and Ben did the course check and marshalled at a muddy Fletcher Moss parkrun event number 280. 537 participants completed the course.

At -3°C, Woodbank parkrun wasn’t just a run—it was more “penguin shuffle with a side of frostbite chic.” With other local parkruns slipping into cancellation mode, Woodbank was the hottest (well, coldest) ticket in town.

Hazel decided to have her own 5k, so she ran to the venue first, mastering the penguin shuffle 🐧. Volunteers were thinner on the ground than the layer of grit on those frosty paths, so Maimoona was called up for the role of tail walker, aka “Chief Frost Wrangler.”

Hazel took up her post at the café marshal station, ensuring runners don't accidentally sled down the hill (or have a coffee break 😉) and instead follow the winter route like obedient snowflakes. Despite the cold turning hands and feet into frozen peas, the atmosphere was warmer than a mulled wine stand—full of frosty greetings, icy banters, and smiles that could melt glaciers.🥰

The cherry on this icy cake? Spotting Laura and Gill braving the chill. Because nothing melts your heart faster than familiar faces showing up when your toes have gone on strike. And yes, we all survived without turning into human popsicles.🥶✨

Maimoona, Hazel, and Ben helped out at the 2025 edition of the Stockport 10, a hilly 10 mile race starting from Woodbank Athletics Track.

Mai was on bag drop duty while Hazel and Ben were marshalling at positions 57 and 44, respectively.

No incidents during the race and well done to all the runners who completed the gruelling course.

Welcome to Gary for his first GoodGym Manchester/Stockport session.

This evening, we were mural making as part of the Plastic Shed bus station mural. With most of the lids added by local children and visitors during the half term open shop, we were able to fill in some of the spaces left to add.

Our task was to fill in the river surface, with a slightly lighter blue than deeper water, but not too light... henceforth known as Goldilocks blue (although there were splashes of dark blue added in for good measure). Once lids were in place and Caitlin gave the all clear, we secured them using drills and screws, with some lids easier to secure than others.

As Lily Allen's new album played in the background, we got through all the boards required, including saving them from falling under the weight. The mandarin duck and well camouflaged dragonfly were particular highlights.

Very impressed with Gary's GoodGym tattoo and hope to see you all again soon either in Stockport or Manchester. The grand opening for the bus station mural is Saturday 8th November from 10am so get along if you're free.

4 GoodGymers joined 3 others to carry the baton for Route #103 as part of the charity Relay Your Way 2025.

Maimoona as the first to arrive at Didsbury Sports Ground was handed the baton from the previous stage, and was quickly joined by Hannah, Laura, and Ben, plus 3 others who had signed up for the route.

With split groups, we hugged the bank of the River Mersey to carry the baton. Unfortunately, a flat tyre on the scooter meant another direct route was needed for Hannah, while the remainder made it to the finish point at Longford Park athletics track along the route.

Welcomed by medals 🏅 and a ceremonial passing on of the baton to a cycling group, we completed the course and wished the best of luck for the rest of the relay.

Big kudos to Laura for completing her first 10 km for a while, Hannah for sticking to it to make it to the finish, and Maimoona for carrying the baton the whole way 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃‍♂️👣👟