Triple Whammy

18 people ran between 3.2 km and 6 km to help local park, residents and art project

Another triple whammy faced GoodGymers in Hackney last night.

I was very excited about getting involved with a new project and meeting a new local contact. Chris Cleeve is managing the innovative Breaker's Yard project at Sutton House (on Homerton High Street), and he asked if we could help move a load of soil from bags into growing containers to complete the project.

It's a fascinating design and art collaboration. Formerly a car breakers yard, the site will now be a wonderland of installations and hidden spaces connected by sinuous brick paths. Elements from its recent history will be incorporated within the Yard including upcycled vehicles, car tyres, a bus greenhouse and bespoke metal gates that incorporate over 1,000 toy cars donated by celebrities, well-known artists and local people. It took over 1000 local people to help design it, and it will engage community groups, families and school children in East London with an interactive learning programme.

Only a mile run there and back (3.2 km in total), it offered a mean back and arm building task, that was carried out by 6 runners in need of a hard sweaty workout. After 45 minutes with Chri, Will and Jason burnt it back to base in 5 minutes and 40 seconds (not bad!), and everyone else came in soon after, well satisfied with their hard work.

The second group of 4 had their last session at Outward's centre in Hackney Downs (5 km in total, there and back). Here runners squatted low under large shrubs to complete weeding the back garden. We're intrigued to the plants the centre (for residents with severe learning disabilities) will decide to go for, and the runners expressed their keeness to get involved with the planting in the future.

The main group ran to Victoria Park (6 km plus, there and back) to finish hoeing around the old 1920's running track to reveal its sharp concrete edge. Unfortunately, the lovely Marcelo's replacement (how could he be replaced!) was no where in sight! Mmmmmm, the group quickly improvised, and organised a couple of 400m laps around the track and then meandered around the park and along the canals - making the most of a long run and a fine evening.

Triple thanks to you all!

Ade Aboaba GoodGym Hackney Coordinator