Runners work to light up St Johns Park

Lewi writes:Despite a recent drop in temperature the first run of December run saw seven eager fit-lanthropists ready to run over to St Johns Park in the Isle of Dogs to plant 200 bulbs for Tower Hamlets council.Once everyone was changed we left the pleasant setting of the Reebok gym (open for use afterwards to goodgym runners!) and following a quick brief of our mission we were off.The first section of the route was the shorter of the two at approximately 2km and we were soon in the park with tools and bulbs at the ready. The science behind bulb planting was explained by Sam from Tower Hamlets, we got tooled up and the race was on. Rupert was first to grab the shovel earning the most man points but perhaps not the most practical piece of equipment for bulb planting!Possibly setting a personal best for speed planting the group tidied up and set off back towards Canary Wharf. The original route back was revised and we ended up by the river with a spectacular view of the O2 arena complete with mini beach. Continuing along the river the group enjoyed more of the dramatic night skyline including a rather impressive laser beam.For the final few km Mark continued his sticker crusade, we received some local encouragement and witnessed some genuine east London 'banter'! You don't get any of that on the treadmill.Finishing with couple of flights of stairs the run ended up just shy of 8km.As with previous tasks the many hands made light work of this bulb task and St Johns Park will be a brighter place for it, what a great job!Mission Fact: bulbs turn the right way up on their own if you plant them upside down.