This week, the Achilles International team met up at Arsenal tube station, ready for our monthly session at the Emirates Stadium. 7 Goodgym guides and supporters were on hand to help our visually impaired running friends to complete a variety of workouts around a slightly wet 700m loop. We were so happy to invite 4 first time guides as well- wonderful to have you join us!

We were thrilled to be joined by top Achilles International guides Rob and Philippa - two of our most consistent members who have contributed so much over years. We wish them all the best on their new adventures in Sheffield! And we hugely appreciated the delicious lemon drizzle cake on offer to celebrate your last run with us (for now!).

We were also very happy to catch up with Stephen, who has been away from our sessions for a little while. Stephen has been training for months to prepare for a 54km ultra marathon in Slovenia, while fundraising for Achilles International. Congratulations, and great to have you back!

To finish our evening, we enjoyed a trip to The Brook Gate on Blackstock Road for refreshments, hot food and good times!

Great work everyone. We will be back next week at Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale). Sign up here:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-f84dc6a2-273c-474c-bd46-5e29cc1d7268

5 awesome Goodgymmers joined the Achilles International UK VI running group for our 3rd official group run in Battersea Park!

Abbie, Jack and Luc did some smashing guided runs with visually impaired runners Mark, Andrew and Naqi (Naqi is in preparation for the Bristol 10km on Saturday- good luck!). Stephen and Simon offered their assistance by looking after bags and playing with adorable guide dogs Max, Mario and Hugo (and Wine, a lovely Peruvian rescue dog).

A wonderful evening everyone- well done!

Next Thursday, we will be at Emirates Stadium, meeting at Arsenal tube station:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-80f59abe-2d99-46bb-99a7-8384ceed2811

5 top Goodgym runners joined Area Activator Simon for our 2nd official trip to the Stratford Olympic Park with all abilities running club Achilles International. Together, we had an abundance of visually impaired runners, bag drop supporters and guide runners meeting at the Westfield exit of Stratford Station, before battling some strong winds towards the West Ham stadium (our bag drop location).

It was awesome to catch up with our running friends- Andrew and Tim are currently in the depths of training for London Marathon. Chris Blackabee, Severine and daughter Siri also joined us after travelling from Belgium last week. Chris was featured on a smashing interview on the BBC about the Achilles International collaboration with London Landmarks Half Marathon next week.

Listen to the interview (from 45 minutes in) here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hfr8bt?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

We were so fortunate to have 18+ VI runners, guides and bag drop / dog watch supporters on Thursday evening at Emirates Stadium. Our crew met up at Arsenal underground station (along with first timers Sean, Ciara, Michaela and Philip- welcome), before heading to the "Tony Adams Statue" for all different group runs (intervals, steady runs before The Big Half, fartlek and run-walks were on the agenda!).

A great turnout for an excellent evening of running.

See you at Paddington Rec Track/ Maida Vale next week!

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-3ae77db9-eb1a-4b57-985e-7a8c44cadbff