Easton Promise

24 runners welcomed the beautiful sunshine with a 9km round trip run to Easton Community Allotments on Tuesday night.

As it was a longer run than normal, the pace was steady, with Alicia and David kindly being back markers for us as the group often spreads out over further distances.

It was fantastic running through a very busy Castle Park (past the site of another run!) - there were lots of Bristolians enjoying the warm weather, so a pack of red clad runners passing through was hopefully an inspiring sight.

Once out of the centre, it was simply a matter of getting on with the running. The pack was quieter than normal, probably because they knew we had a way to go, so they were saving energy.

We arrived at Easton Community Gardens in two groups. Catherine, the lady who oversees the garden, was not expecting so many runners and was so keen to put us to work, she didn't realise that the second group was not far behind! So half the group got given tasks: clearing out an old fridge and moving it to make a great strawberry bed. Trimming the verge and sweeping up the trimmings. She was pleasantly surprised when the second group arrived and put them to work planting forget-me-nots, digging and turning soil on a bank and picking dead leaves off plants.

This was definitely more of a run focused session - no sooner had we started then we had to stop, pack up and run back to town. The run back is always easier - the Bristol to Bath Path heading away from the centre is a very sneaky and subtle hill, so it drags you down somewhat. When you run back, you have more of a spring in your step and a big hand from gravity. The setting sun cast a warm and rosy glow over the path as we ran.

I have to say a massive well done to those of you who don't normally run that far - it was almost a six mile round trip and you all smashed it to tiny bits. The stretch in the sun at College Green made it all worthwhile. Also, remember the reason that Catherine at the Easton Gardens was so surprised to see all of you is that Good Gym continues to grow and grow - we've visited the gardens several times but never with such a large posse of runners.

Now let's bring on the sun and run!