York

Group run

Caught red handed lifting the wetpour

37 GoodGymers made their way 4.1km to help their local community in York.

  • Emily
  • Paul Anderson
  • Aron Fulton
  • Nick Griffin
  • Carl Wain
  • York runner
  • Leanne
  • Melissa Jordan
  • Becky Moylett
  • York runner
  • Aidan Kettle
  • Esther Lusty
  • Stefan Durkin
  • Tim Mckenzie
  • Christine Cockett
  • Lauren Forecast
  • Huw
  • York runner
  • Paul Kelly
  • York runner
  • Mitch
  • Tristan Featherby
  • York runner
  • Freya Squires
  • Jesse Martin
  • Craig
  • Bethany Bridge
  • Emily Collins
  • Vicky Hearson
  • Jenny Pummell
  • Removed User
  • Tom FitzPatrick
  • Steve Rice
  • Amy Woollard
  • Charlotte Jones
  • John Forecast
  • Jane Benton
 
Monday, 11th of March 2019
 
Led by Aron Fulton

GG Yorkies ran to Clarence Gardens to rip up some wetpour

As Egg was busy lunging her way across the ski slopes, self-styled Amazing Aron stepped in to lead after a little time away. In what was an ominous sign of things to come, the alarm was set-off by Mitch before the runners had even managed to get to the meeting point, but once that was sorted we could get on with a strenuous evening of Goodgym.

We welcomed Jane for her first ever group run, as well as celebrating everyone's awesome achievements over the weekend, including Paul who ran his first ever half -marathon. It was also a momentous occasion, as Lucy got to wear the cape of good deeds for hitting 50 good deeds! Great work everyone, make sure you give them all a cheer!

We headed out to towards the task with Paul A kindly backmarking. We arrived to find Iain had laid out loads of wheelbarrows, spades, and two different sizes of saw. We had two tasks ahead of us: * A small group of 5 were needed to lay some grass seed in four oval beds * The rest of the crew would be ripping up wetpour from what used to be two different areas of a children's playground.

The small group set off to rake the soil before spreading out the grass seed, and stamping it into place. After confirming exactly which areas of wetpour needed to be ripped up (so we didn't get Iain into some serious trouble) the bigger group split into two to tackle the wetpour. Those who had done this before took the lead.

"The best technique is to get a spade under the edge, then saw off sections" Huw

After the groups got stuck in, it seemed that this bit of wetpour was a bit trickier than the last time we'd tackled it. Everyone pitched in, and with some great teamwork, the best method was soon devised, which seemed to involve lifting a big strip of the rubber, before folding it over, and tearing/sawing it off, otherwise known as the 'Bend and snap'. Getting the rubber to break proved pretty difficult, with each subgroup finding their own methods, including coordinated squats, lying on top of the rolled over wetpour, and jumping up and down in the hope that it would break.

It's quite fun jumping on it. It's a makeshift trampoline!

The jumping started to get a little too exuberant and was in danger of getting out of hand.

"It's going to catapult me away!" Tim

As Aron was feeling particularly nervous to avoid any major accidents or incidents while Egg was away, everyone calmed down a little and after looking impossible at the start, we really started to make some progress. With a constant stream of wheelbarrows heading for the growing mountain of discarded wetpour, the end was in sight. With everyone chipping in to get as much done as possible, it was a blur of activity.

"Oh! It's coming at both ends!" Tim

At some point in amongst all this excitement, it appears that our Good-deeding attracted some unwanted attention, and the police arrived to see what all the fuss was about. Apparently some concerned local residents had called the police, worried that we were up to no Good. A large group of noisy runners, ripping up a children's play area probably does look a little suspicious, but after a brief explanation, they were happy that we meant no harm, and left us to finish the job.

While the grass seeders finished up their pigeon feet stomp and a final raking, the last chunks of wetpour were collected and loaded into the wheelbarrows. The only thing left to do was get a group shot around the mountain of wetpour, and of course, one of Lucy atop the pile in her cape of good deeds.

After a short run back to base, we had a nice stretch before heading to the pub for some post-run refreshment and some of Huw's wetpour-inspired Vegan millionaire shortbread.

Report written by Aron Fulton


Discuss this report

York runner
York runner
She/her
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 06:16

LOVE that the police turned up! Hahah

Christine Cockett
Christine Cockett
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 09:07

That report's so funny, thank you Aron!

sign in to add a comment

Aron Fulton
Led by Aron Fulton

Former GoodGym Leeds trainer. Love running, cycling, and generally being outdoors

GoodGymers helping out
  • Back marker

    Make sure that no one is left behind

    • Paul Anderson

Share the love

Join us on the next run

Clearing a derelict allotment

Monday 18:15 - 20:00
Led by Ed Woollard


York CVS, Denham Room

Find out more

Become a member

with an optional monthly donation

  • Run, walk, or cycle to help older people
  • Access sessions across the country
  • Claim your GoodGym t-shirt

Need help with a community project?

If you're a community organisation and have a physical task then we'd like to help.

Request a task

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more