Once again it was a privilege to marshal at the weekly junior parkrun that takes place at Odd Down cycle circuit in Bath.

Dozens of children aged between 4 and 14 made their way round the 2k course often accompanied by their parents to make it a whole family affair.

They went round with determination etched on their faces and you knew the pride they would feel at the finish.

Our task was to cheer them on and it was great to see the young runners put on an extra spurt as we encouraged them. This time, instead of a giant foam hand giving out high fives, I was in charge of a cow bell. I hope the neighbours didn’t object at the noise.

It’s good to be part of something that is of such benefit to children’s welfare. The junior parkrun Health and Wellbeing survey in 2024 found that three in four children feel happier after taking part in a junior parkrun. It’s not just about happiness – 65% of children said they feel proud of themselves and 57% feel more confident.

GoodGymer Tanya should also be feeling proud after making her way up the hill to the task and running back down afterwards.

We were back at Sydney Gardens again this week, after a mere seven days had elapsed since our last visit. We are very popular and in demand though, and they also have the Mayor visiting next Sunday.

Today was all about the impending arrival of said dignitaries and how we could help contribute to a safe and pleasant day for all involved. Dedicated GoodGymmers Cosmo, Tanya and Meyrick were in attendance and we were set to work by our supervisor (Gill from the Friends of Sydney Gardens) to finish tidying up the area around the Supper Room, where we had previously worked.

Mostly brambles and nettles, there was enough to keep us occupied for the hour of our stay.

Just as the media like to announce 'The Warmest Day of the Year So Far' as we move from Winter to Spring, so we at GoodGym should announce that today's mission was the Warmest of 2025 (thus far).

Three GoodGymmers braved this awesome weather to help the Friends of Sydney Gardens. Tanya, Kam and Meyrick met on the bridge overlooking the railway line as usual.

We were tasked, by Gill our colleague at FOSG, with something we'd already made a pretty good start on. Avid readers of my run reports will no doubt recall the work we've previously carried out digging out the entrances to a couple of grottoes. These date back to pre-Victorian times and the idea is to clear the approach to them in order to make them into a feature.

I joked at the previous mission that we'd dug down to about 1970 and although we made some more headway this morning, we've still a couple of hundred years of accumulated topsoil to clear. It's a tough dig as well, the soil is riddled with roots, some a thick as a dog's leg, as well as chunks of limestone.

We keep chipping away, at this rate it might take a couple of years but it's exciting to imagine what we might find when we get to the bottom. This is more than just a GoodGym mission, this is GoodGym with added Indiana Jones.

Dozens of children and their parents turned out bright and early this morning for their weekly run around the cycle track at Odd Down. Junior Parkrun is a wonderful way to start the day and get those stats in for those 4-14 year olds who are serious about running. It’s wonderful to see the concentration on those small faces determined to beat their personal best.

And that’s where we three GoodGymers came in. Tanya and I donned the hi viz to cheer on the young people as they took on the 2k, as well as making sure they stuck to the course. While Helen and mini volunteer Archie brought up the rear as tail walkers. Complete with tail!

I'm not sure why the cones had all gathered together - safety in numbers, I suppose.

It’s a great feeling to see the runners put on an extra spurt of speed to give you a high five and, overall, it was smiles all round in the sunshine. It’s got to be the best way to start the day and I’m looking forward to the next.

We're back at Odd Down on Sunday 1 June - you can sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/help-cheer-and-marshal-the-odd-down-junior-parkrun-07cb7fa6-26de-4b1e-b910-aeee06e5d511