Our annual BIG CHRISTMAS RUN was a sparkling success with 18 runners going 6km to help the Liverpool Irish Centre.

For the second year, we marked the last run while everyone is still in town (one final last run next week for folks who are still here!) with a trip to the Liverpool Irish Centre - a community hub and base for language learning and traditional music - to decorate their bar area. And for the second year, this also involved customising our red t-shirts with festive trimmings, leading to more than a few bemused looks from pedestrians and honks aplenty from drivers.

We were warmly greeted at the centre (a little too warm, it was boiling in there!) by Clodagh and handed boxes of slightly random decorations plus orange squash and chocolates. Without blutac or sellotape, the team came up with some ingenious hanging solutions and the place was soon fully decked out!

Once finished, we gate crashed the children's Christmas party in the room next door and rather than a fitness session, played a round of musical statues. Chris H. was our last man standing and did a fab job of balancing (don't mention that he was beaten by an eight year old!).

How can I pick the best outfit? There were so many great efforts! So here's a shout out to Molly, who ran 6km dressed as a giant Christmas present; to Ro-dolf, who ran while wearing a red flashing nose; to Pauline for an entirely festive outfit from head to toe; and to Baptiste for his Mrs. Claus drag outfit, over his much awaited (by me, not him!) RED t-shirt.

Everyone looked fab and we were even back-marked by our own Sam-ta Claus!

After the run, we headed to a local pub for a festive social and were joined by 3 others who couldn't make the run but wanted to join the fun. Thanks to everyone for being such good sports and bringing the Christmas spirit to GG Lpool. What a special team I have!

At the pub, we talked about our running goals for 2020 and I'll be picking up this conversation with all of you again soon!!!!

Next week is our FINAL Group Run of 2019 so sign-up here. If you can't wait until then, there's a Community Misson on Sunday morning. See you then!

P.S. Kudos to John who came up with this pun way back in the April, and to me for remembering it! ;)

It is getting cooooolllldddd! But this team of superheroes don't seem to feel it, warmed by the good deeds they're racking up.

On a dark, properly cold evening, 15 runners showed up for one of our final outdoor tasks of the year: leafleting for Jubilee Sports Bank. Our goal was to make locals aware of this affordable, community sports centre, by distributing 300 (or was there more?) leaflets to houses in the area.

With a little competition and a bit of herding cats, after half an hour, we were 300 leaflets lighter.

Shout out to Tim who led his team to victory and to Sharon whose team came a close second, with the final scores 2 versus 1. Tim gets extra kuddos for coming up with this week's title pun.

It's becoming more of a challenge to find suitable spaces for our fitness session, so thanks to the team for their patience and adaptability. This week's bleep test didn't go quite to plan but did help the runners clock up 8km in total for tonight!

The run back was all downhill and we made short time of it. Arriving back to our cool-down spot, we met with John who was waiting for us. Kuddos to him for working late and missing the task, yet running into town for our Task Force meeting.

In the Task Force meeting we discussed our plans for the January Challenge, weighing up the possibility of stealing the golden trowel from GoodGym York - who's up for it? In the meantime, keep wracking up those good deeds by coming along next week.

Bonus shout out for Yan who ran to and from GoodGym last night, clocking up around 13km in total - great work Yan!

On a night of celebrations, Goodgym came together to litter pick and celebrate some milestones.

Serious kudos to Emma and Sam for hitting the 50 good deeds! Not to be sneezed at even in this weather. However Pauline, with her 150 good deeds, is surely Goodgym royalty now! Alright Queen!!

We checked out each red light on our way out of town and soon got some momentum up the hill to Breck Road. Running past our target, we went down to Kitty's Launderette to meet Rachael of Creative Spaces. Quickly armed with bags and pickers, we returned to the park whilst watching an impressive fireworks display!

With several bags filled and new friends from the park wholeheartedly endorsing our good work, we retreated to bring some sparkle to our evening despite the rain.

Off we went on our return leg, spotting the green Radio City Tower and getting the rub of the green with the traffic lights on the way home.

Kudos to Becky B for backmarking and well done everyone, we got 8k in 🙂

18 awesome runners beat the dark and cold to help out at a secret garden in south Liverpool.

Our first run since the clocks have changed and beyond seasonable doubt, Autumn is here. Last time we visited the Quaker Burial Ground (aka Arundel Avenue Community Garden) was on the most beautiful late spring evening. This time it was pitch black. But GoodGym stops for no one. We wrapped up, we put our head torches on and we clocked up good deeds.

The team kept a good pace over 3km and soon we arrived at the garden. The task was a simple but important one. Rake up all of the leaves and wheelbarrow them round to the compost heap. Everyone got stuck in and soon enough, lit by our lamps, we could see the area had been transformed.

This week's shout out goes to Baptiste and Molly, who are quickly becoming regulars and part of the GG fam. The Autumn isn't generally the best time to join GoodGym but they are beating the bad weather and happily getting fit while doing good with us - hooray!

Running a different return route, we played a quick game of follow the leader through Crown St park, working different areas of the body and getting our hearts pumping. Fantastic work once again team - well done!

Next week I'm leaving you in the very capable hands of Run Leader John C. and you'll be doing a much needed litter pick in North Liverpool. Support John and sign-up here.