Down to Earth

31 runners ran 6k and cleared two neglected gardens back to bare earth

Tree Surgery Emma Bruce

Splitting up in two groups once again, our group faced the challenge of clearing Mr A’s family garden. They are yet to move in but Tower Hamlets Homes were keen to clear the land and provide Mr and Mrs A with an open space next to their house.

"No Mercy"

Armed with little more than some secateurs and a slightly flimsy saw, we set about destroying the overgrown garden. We were an all-powerful, no mercy machine. Trees were uprooted; rubbish bags cleared (no dead body parts found, though we certainly were worried!) and brambles were begging for forgiveness. Thirty minutes later and we were feeling pleased as punch and victorious in our mission – with some even considering a professional career in tree surgery, it certainly is therapeutic!

"Last Stretch"

Back to business we nailed our 6k run, despite the heavy downpours and enjoyed a lovely stretch of Regent’s canal. As so commonly happens on these runs, our thoughts turned to food and it was noses down for the last stretch to get us home in time for dinner. Once again a lovely run, a good cause supported and a brilliant group of people! Thanks GoodGym!

Ain't no flack on Roberta Street Ted Maxwell

Our half of the group peeled off at Roberta Street to clear a very overgrown garden – we're not just talking brambles and twigs, there was some minor trees too.

Like a well-oiled machine out of Ferngully, we had loppers, snippers, rakers, forkers, carriers, baggers and tramplers. As we packed up thirty minutes later there was still work to do (I have a feeling we'll be back for more), but the plot is well on its way to being a useable garden for the residents in the Tower Hamlets Homes building.

"Bravely Sacrificed"

The gods were unhappy with our rampant destruction, so the run back to base was a pretty nasty rainy loop through Hoxton to the canal and then all the way back to Cambridge Heath Road, splashing through big puddles under bridges. As we came together at the end, we realised we'd lost four of our number – we assumed that they'd bravely sacrificed themselves because the rain had stopped. Nevertheless, some of us were worried, so we were glad to find them safely waiting for us back at base.

Killing me softly? Ha, not this time.