Area Activator for Wandsworth and Hounslow. All things running. For fitness, fun, racing and to feel good - and for everybody!
67 Month Streak
108 Month Streak








































Block or report Anastasia Hancock
Westminster
📍City of Quebec pub W1C 1NB
Join us for a run to help support the work of the oldest youth club in the world

Wed 26th Nov at 6:30pm
Wed 19th Nov at 6:30pm
Hounslow Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)
There was plenty of chat pre-task about whether we would be planting bulbs in the snow last night, but that didn't stop a group of be-thermalled GoodGymers turning up to help out with the second half of a big task last night. Just goes to show that GG Hounslow is made of sterner stuff!
So, after a much needed warm up at the town hall, we ran down to meet Abundance London for the second part of our mammoth task to plant thousands of bulbs on Chiswick High Rd. The plan is that the spring flowers will deter passers-by from throwing rubbish in the beds, to improve biodiversity next to a busy road, and to cheer up the place with a splash of colour!
Last week we had spent some time clearing away the leaves and doing a bit of weeding. Not only did this prep the area for planting but it made sure the pavement had fewer slip risks from the wet leaves. We grabbed our shovels and bulbs and started work.
There were established plants to get in, tulips, daffs and narcissus, and a limited period before we lost all feeling in our fingers. There was no time to lose!
With hundreds of bulbs to go in, and we dug and planted steadily. By the time we had finished, Karen from Abundance London said that we had saved them days of work! Well done everybody.
Don't forget about the session this Saturday at the Bend it like Beckham task and next week we're back at Harvard Hill - see you there!
Tue 18th Nov at 6:30pm
Westminster Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)
With the temperatures dropping and snow on the way, it put into harsh reality of living with housing insecurity in central London. Luckily the amazing charity Under One Sky regularly heads out onto the streets to hand out hot food and drinks - and we were very happy to pick up food that would otherwise be wasted to help them in their mission.
Veronica and I met up at Hyde Park to run down to the Artisan Bakery, and were surprised to find out that it had shut a whole hour earlier than usual. However when we went round the corner to their sister store, they were kind enough to load us up with croissants, pastries and other treats.
Following the live location we had been sent (always a bit of a challenge!) we finally located the Under One Sky team who took the goodies and handed over bags for our next stop - Pret.
What we pick up always depend on what has been sold during the day, but last night we were truly in luck with masses of delicious looking food. What was particularly helpful was the stack of soups, stews and hot pastries they handed over. Thanks Pret!
Next week we're back at the amazing Abbey centre for another task that supports vulnerable people in central London.
Mon 24th Nov at 6:30pm
Join us for a run to help support the work of the oldest youth club in the world
Read moreMon 17th Nov at 6:30pm
Wandsworth Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)
We had one of our biggest challenges to date in Wandsworth last night, and what's more it was a time crunch situation!
The task: to move ten huge metal orange planters filled with wet clay and stones to their permanent new homes around the Doddington estate. Within 40 minutes. Using only one manual hydraulic lifter.
Did we manage it? Read on to find out more...
What was meant to be a quick Saturday morning task soon emerged as something a lot more complicated! We hadn't realised that the planters, which are bright, cheerful and massive would also be full! They were also a lot heavier and unwieldy then we had expected. We discovered it had taken a crane to get them there in the first place. On top of that, it turned out the dolly we had been given to use had two flat tyres! Things were not looking in our favour.
So, we drafted in the big guns. We shifted our scheduled task for the evening to another night, and arranged to come down with a bigger group last night. Elizabeth, who runs the hub, had also managed to get her hands on a bigger duty lifter from the council - so this time we had a fighting chance!
We divided up into groups and began the job - knowing we had a limited amount of time with the borrowed lifter. If they weren't put in the right place last night, it was never going to happen.
So with Ali taking the helm of the power lifter, half the team began the massive job of moving the smaller planters around the square. Meanwhile the rest got on with shoveling out the soil in what affectionately became known as 'the beast' - the biggest planter of them all.
Time was ticking on, and we decided to forego our usual fitness session in the hope of finishing the task. Besides which, the job was a pretty hardcore workout in itself!
With just minutes to spare the last planter was ceremoniously lowered into position, and I'm happy to report that all ten of them found beautiful new homes where they will cheer up the square and increase bodiversity - and all GG toes and fingers remained intact!
Fantastic job in tricky conditions - well done everybody.
Dates for your diary!
Wed 19th Nov at 12:00pm
Sat 15th Nov at 11:00am
Wandsworth Report written by Catherine Moore
Quiz time: what's the fastest growing thing in Doddington Roof Garden? Answer: Melissa's to do list of course! But who better than GG Wandsworth to tackle it!? On Saturday the team had two tasks - move some planters donated by the council and general jobs in the garden. The first task turned out to be bigger than expected, as the planters arrived full to the brim of heavy clay soil. Felix, Jordan and Ana emptied one and shimmied it to it's new location, but the rest will need the Monday night crew (look out for a task coming soon!) Ana and I then swept up leaves and added them to the in-situ compost along with some of the clay soil from the planters downstairs. Lifting and moving those trugs of soil was certainly a work out!!
Sat 15th Nov at 11:00am
Can you spare an hour to help with jobs at a community garden?
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