Stone Penge

Six superstars ran 2km and shifted gravel, weeded weeds and pruned brambles at the Secret Garden.

(I am quite ridiculously excited to have had the chance to use this pun at last! In the week when Stone Henge has been in the news as well!)

We had some half-marathon heroes out there at the weekend. Well done to Ian, who had a great run in the Southampton Half, running steady and strong from the start and enjoying the event. Bradley had a less relaxing time in Richmond, with the trains presenting challenges against getting there for a very early race start. He ran an incredible time but, with the race using the 'gun time' rather than 'chip time', he didn't quite get the time he wanted - we will watch his next race with great interest!

News!

• We have been asked to help out with the St Christopher's Fun Walk on Sunday May 19th, where they need volunteers at 12.15pm and 3.15pm - could you encourage the final finishers as they complete their challenge. Let me know!

• If you are coming along to South Norwood parkrun on Saturday May 25th, don't forget to email the parkrun team to let them know which role you would like to take: southnorwoodhelpers@parkrun.com - give your full name and your parkrun 'A-number' so they can find you easily on the system.

• The GoodGym monthly social is in Peckham this week, as our friends and neighbours at GoodGym Southwark play host. All details here - a chance to meet runners from other areas and to vote for the International Pun of the Month.

Our task was a local one this week, with a short run taking us into Crystal Palace Park. All tooled up, we trundled over to the Secret Garden, a magical hidden space, used by all sorts of groups, including a forest school. This week we had been instructed to use up all the gravel to cover the path at the top of the garden. With fast work from our barrow team, the stones were lifted, shifted and raked in record time, so it was on to weeding and pruning. The area is surrounded by trees, including a few Sycamores, so of course the paths are littered with tiny saplings, rapidly taking root. It can get a bit meditative pulling up the little blighters, so we gathered and chatted, enjoying the company of a pair of robins as we went.

Once our tools had been carefully placed back in storage, we quickly set-to with some running drills to warm up for the main event. Taking our very popular Time Trial course, we ran 1km at a conversational pace, then took on another with 'chain running', where the person at the back sprinted to the front, continuing in a chain whilst completing the lap - really great work, that is a tough one!

Next week we will return to Anerley Town Hall to move some items from the basement into a container - expect heavy lifting (there will be an alternative if you're not into lifting!). In the meantime, our runner Kerry will be tackling the Crystal Palace Triathlon at the weekend, so we wish her all the best and most importantly, all the fun!!