No Way! it's a Slow Way!

What an incredibly warm and wonderful weekend! Our Goodgym Islington crew met up at The Arsenal Community Hub for a special group run session for the Slow Ways Route Navigation project. Paul, Katie and Kim arrived in good time and ready to run. Alison shared her experiences at last week's incredibleMan vs Horse running event in Wales, and Area Activator Simon chatted about the highlights at this year'sGoodgym Shindig at YHA Hathersage.

Our objective for the evening was to complete a lovely running loop together, establishing a popular pedestrianised transport route between Angel Underground Station and Camden Town Station. Most Londoners know of this popular Regent's Canal towpath walk, but folks from further afield visiting the city may not be aware of this lovely, quiet, car-free walk. The Slow Ways project is an interactive route mapping website, that collates recommended walks that prioritise car-free and safe transport. The plan is to create a network that allows users to navigate the entirety of the UK using footpaths!

Check out the current progress map here:

https://beta.slowways.org/

Together, we jogged over to Angel Underground Station from the Emirates Stadium (approximately 2 miles). From here, we started our watches to log the Slow Ways path for Ang-Cam 1 (Angel - Camden Route 1), running through Chapel Market and down Tollacre Street to the entrance of the towpath. The route is typically quite busy during the Summer months (glorious weather encourages walk commuting in gorgeous settings), but we made great progress on the course. Our first stop was at the famous "Word on the Water" Book Barge, a floating book shop next to Kings Cross. Round the corner, we also passed Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard, two great spots of a bite to eat! Gasholder Park and the Camley Street Nature Reserve were next on our list of highlights on route, before we completed our canal side run by Camden Lock, leading us back to Kentish Town Road and down to Camden Town Underground. Slow Ways done!

To close out a successful evening of running, we connected back to Camden Road, and climbed to slope back towards Holloway Road in Islington (passing Hilldrop House Community Centre on route- look out for our upcoming group runs here very soon!), and turning on to Eburne Street to enjoy our monthly social at The Swimmer N4 - Grafton Arms. Congratulations all- great work!

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GG ISLINGTON NEWS

Guide Runners Needed for Metro Blind Sport Athletics 2023 (50 year Anniversary!)

Saturday 24th June, 10am - 3pm, Mile End Stadium

Experienced and new guides needed for this annual visually impaired athletics event. An incredible sports day for athletes of all abilities!

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/guide-runners-needed-for-metro-blind-sport-athletics-2023-50-year-anniversary

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Penn Road Gardens Open Volunteer Morning

Sunday 25th June, 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.

Local volunteers will be on hand to direct anyone who arrives to offer their help between 10am- midday. Come on down to enjoy a lovely morning community task!

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-june-900ca2d1-e339-40a0-8308-c8594bbad443

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Compton Terrace Gardens Volunteer Open Morning - July

Saturday 1st July, 10am, Union Chapel, Islington

Our lovely monthly community gardening morning with the Friends of Compton Terrace Gardens

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-july

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Goodgym x Achilles International- Bushy parkrun visit

Saturday 22nd July, 8.30am, Bushy Park, Hampton

Achilles International, the all abilities sports group, are planning on attending the original "free weekly timed 5km time trial", more commonly known as "Bushy parkrun" in Hampton.

We are looking to invite potential running guides (for various paces) and those interested in the world of guide running (especially anyone happy to volunteer and cheer on the course) to come and join us! https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/achilles-international-x-goodgym-bushy-parkrun