And we wheeled our wheelbarrows...

Rebecca Harris writes, hover for photo credits:For those of you that were thinking that just because the Olympics and Paralympics were over, there would be no more World Records smashed this year, think again. Last night’s Good Gym mission was full of record-breaking achievements, beginning with the impressive 34 runner turnout, destroying the existing GoodGym record by almost 30 per cent.The mission was to run the 7km round-trip to shift a massive (and record-breaking) 15m³ of soil from outside Fern Street Community Garden and into their waiting garden-beds. A mammoth task at the best of times, and so the evening’s surplus of runners couldn’t have come at a better time.A steady (though non-record-breaking) pace down the canal warmed the runner’s muscles for the truly physical challenge ahead. Upon arrival, the group quickly divided themselves into efficient groups of diggers, forkers, wheel-barrow-runners and garden-bed-arrangers. Working at record-breaking speed, too few wheelbarrows proved no challenge as sprightly runners used sacks and buckets to help transport the soil. One hour and more than two-thirds of the pile had been shifted – a definite record achievement for GoodGym.Biscuits and cordial were well-received and, mindful of the growing darkness, the group set off on a slightly different route back to the Arch Gallery, avoiding the canal and any potential Boris Bike collisions or unplanned late-night swimming sessions.A group will be heading back on Wednesday evening to shift the last of the soil, after which the garden will be used for locals without gardens, and for schools to help teach children about the origins of food. Fingers crossed we can smash a few more records then, too.