Cuttin’, Weedin’ and Sweepin’ the Morning Away!

The glorious sunshine of last weekend had vanished but still seven intrepid GoodGymmers joined the 500 runners on the start line of Huddersfield parkrun this morning. A big thanks to RD Tony Pinnington, sporting a fresh clean shaven look, for the GoodGym shout out in the run briefing, and then we were off. I ran with parkrun first timer, Ben Godfrey, explaining to him how parkrun worked and the route. We ran together for the first 4k and then in true Ben style he shot off like a missile and there was no way I could keep up with him. Congratulations (through gritted teeth) to Ben who completed his first parkrun in 27:57 this morning. Also a big shout out to Helen Bennett who was the 38 minute pacer, achieving double volunteer status at parkrun and GoodGym, and managing to run 5k!

After completing our runs we met up by the bowling hut to get our instructions from Paul from Friends of Greenhead Park. Paul is a well known face to Huddersfield parkrunners as he is a regular volunteer directing and cheering on runners from his favoured spot by the paddling pool. I have run more than a 100 parkruns at Huddersfield and I can honestly say I don't think I've done a single one, rain, shine or even snow, when Paul hasn't been there.

GoodGym newbies Zena and Steve Whalley teamed up with GoodGym regular Saul and attacked the rhododendron bushes hanging through the fence on to the pavement alongside Park Drive South, filling at least six bin bags with clippings.

Helen Bennett, fondly also known as 'the shouty lady' due to her ability to cheer on runners at great volume, grabbed the broom and cleared the drainage gullies along the edge of the paths of pink blossom, making some attractive pink stripes on the grass as she went.

Ben, another GoodGym regular quickly recovered from his parkrun success and trimmed the grass where it over hung the drainage gullies. (Although I did see him having a sneaky sit on a bench at one point so maybe not quite as recovered as I thought!)

Liz Walsh, another GoodGym first timer, and I went down to the bottom of the park, forks in hand, and dug over a border ready to be planted later in the week.

After 45 minutes of hard graft we reconvened back at the bowling hut, had the obligatory group photo and some of us went straight home for a well earned shower, while others went to the cafe in the park for a coffee.

GoodGym will be back again in Greenhead Park on Saturday 4th May at 9:45 , under the direction of Paul from Friends of Greenhead Park, to complete some more gardening and tidying tasks. We hope you can come and join us!