Wed 9th Oct at 6:30pm
Tue 8th Oct at 10:16pm
Hi Simon, is there a secure bag drop here?
Wed 9th Oct at 6:11am
Hi Rob. We will try to leave bags at the Arsenal Community Hub (the team help us on our Monday group runs).If not possible, then we can leave them under the terrace on the Emirates Stadium concourse. I can stand close to them during the session.
Wed 9th Oct at 6:30pm
Free running assessments from UKA coach Simon at Emirates Stadium
Read moreMon 15th Jul at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon caught up with a top crew of Goodgym runners outside the Arsenal Community Hub (including returning Goodgymmer Pete and first time group runner Martin - welcome!). Together, we chatted about our weekends and about favourite biscuits (chocolate hobnob was a clear winner) while warming up for a 1.5 mile run to Thornhill Square Gardens. We also took the opportunity to celebrate the recent birthdays of Caitlin, Dan and Simon!
We enjoyed a social chatty run up McKenzie Road towards Caledonian Road, and rolled into Thornhill Square Gardens in good time. Resident gardening expert Anna was thrilled to see so many runners, walkers and cyclists showing up to help out!
We split into 2 main groups: Group 1 helped used wheel barrows and shovels to gather up donated tree bark to scatter across the flower beds lining the park. The intention is to create a protective layer across the new plants and shrubs while they are growing, and to encourage mini beasts to make homes across the gardens! Group 2 took on the important task of trimming back and weeding out the main flower planters in the centre of the park. Goodgym had actually planted bushes in these beds about 6 months ago, so it was wonderful to see how well everything was growing!
The evening was perfect for slugs and snails (who were happy to enjoy some drizzly weather), but suddenly became excellent weather for ducks. A light rain became heavier towards the end of our session, so we chose to gather up tools and hunker down about 5 minutes early! Easily one of the heaviest rainfalls we had experienced at Goodgym Islington for a long time.
Amazingly, almost every one of our Goodgymmers joined us for a wet (but pleasantly warm) run back to the Emirates Stadium (splashing through huge puddles on route!). And it was wonderful to see so many participants staying behind to enjoy warm pizza and well deserved refreshments at The Victoria Tavern, Holloway Road. Well done everyone!
Next Week's Session
We will be visiting Camden Estate Gardens for a full green space clear up. Super satisfying task on the cards!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-camden-estate-community-food-gardens
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Thursday 18th July- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 25th July- Battersea Park
Thursday 1st August- Arsenal Emirates Stadium
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The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green
The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!
Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday
Barmet AC Golden Stag Mile at Finsbury Park Track
Friday 19th July, 6.30pm onwards, Finsbury Park Track
Come and try the greatest track distance, the mile!
Now in its ninth year, the races are graded so that you get to race people of a similar ability as we love a close finish. Previous editions have seen British, European, and even World age group records.
The races start at 18:30. At the end of the night the final races will decide the Golden Stag Mile titles for 2024.
Entries for the Golden Stag Mile will remain open until 7th July, or until the races are full. Races will be seeded based on your predicted time.
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (July)
Saturday 20th July, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 21st July, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-july-2024
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 28th July, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.
Post Group Run Social- Area Activator Simon celebrates 5 years!
Monday 12th August, 8.45pm, Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park
Area Activator Simon (formerly Trainer Simon) began leading sessions for Goodgym Islington 5 years ago, taking the reins from Goodgym legend Paul Bown (still active in GG Sheffield).
We invite you for excellent food, great refreshments and good times at Someday Canteen in Finsbury Park!
Mon 15th Jul at 6:45pm
Joining the lovely resident gardeners at Thornhill Square Gardens for an evening of composting, watering and maintenance
Read moreSun 19th May at 7:00am
Help our fellow runners at this incredible local half marathon party!
Read moreMon 4th Mar at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Slow Ways is a website launched in 2021 which enables users to plot a route between two settlements in the United Kingdom. The routes are not intended to be the fastest route possible, but rather encourage walkers to rediscover unused footpaths and engage in more leisurely walks.
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon met with keen runners from a variety of different Goodgym boroughs at the Arsenal Community Hub for a slightly different version of our classic group run. Our objective for the evening was to review a previously submitted "Slow Ways" route listed on the official nationwide pedestrian mapping website. Together, we were planning on running the full course, and to publish feedback on whether we could recommend the route or not.
We ran to Highbury and Islington Underground station, and then ran through Highbury Fields to start the Slow Ways for Highbury and Islington to Wood Green aka (WooHig 2). Bouncing up and down the slopes of North London, we passed the original Emirates Stadium before approaching Arsenal Tube Station. Our map was encouraging us to run through Gillespie Park Nature Reserve- however we made the decision not do due to a lack of lighting. This was highlighted as a consideration for fellow night-time travellers on the Slow Ways website page.
Next stop, Finsbury Park, with new and improved flood lights installed for the community. This made such a difference, and we all felt safe to run through even at night. The famous Harringay Ladder loomed at the bottom of Green Lanes (just beyond the New River Path). This is a well known running segment developed by teammates at London Heathside AC- a 10km challenge that covers the inclines and declines between Green Lanes and Turnpike Lane. Luckily, we were running up the Harringay Passage instead- a lovely cut through corridor that passes through over 21 streets!
Upon reaching Turnpike Lane, we started to see city streets and shops again for the first time- we knew that Wood Green high street was close by. Sure enough, we completed our full approximately 5 mile run outside Wood Green Station- successfully reviewing a Slow Ways. Well done everyone!
To celebrate, our crew enjoyed some delicious cuisine at Ezra's Kitchen along with some much appreciated refreshments. Excellent work!
Goodgym Islington News
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Thursday 7th March- Paddington Rec Track, Maida Vale Underground station
Thursday 14th March- Emirates Stadium, Arsenal Underground station
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Thursday 21st March- Paddington Rec Track, Maida Vale Underground station
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Thursday 28th March- Stratford Olympic Park, Stratford Underground station (Westfield exit)
ON Running Spitalfields run club- Thursday morning wake up runs!
Thursday 29th February, 7am, ON Running Spitalfields, Brushfield Street
Area Activator Simon has set up a series of morning runs, hosted on Thursday mornings at the new ON Running store in Spitalfields market.
A social 5km before work, with the option to take out a pair of ON Running shoes for a test spin.
Next run is on Thursday 7th March:
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/on-running-spitalfields-group-classic-5km-social
Slow Ways and Goodgym Islington Social
Monday 4th March, 6.45pm onwards, Arsenal Community Hub
For our first group run of March, we will be reviewing a running route for the Slow Ways mapping network, starting in Highbury and Islington, and finishing in Wood Green. Great social running times!
And afterwards, we are planning on visiting Ezra's Cafe in Wood Green for refreshments, food and chat
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-ezra-s-kitchen
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The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green
The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!
Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday
Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 9th March, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington
A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.
Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (March)
Saturday 16th March, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-march
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Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 16th March, 11am - 1pm, 85-87 Wood Vale, Highgate Woods
Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-march-2024
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 31st March, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.
Mon 4th Mar at 6:45pm
Establishing safe walking routes and pedestrianised paths for the general public across the UK!
Read moreSat 25th Nov 2023 at 8:45am
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