19 runners warmed their cockles by getting fit and doing good with GoodGym Liverpool, despite a chilly evening.

With lots of our regulars taking an impromptu night off, the team might have been smaller than usual... but not when Amy H. is around! Amy brings a new standard to the suggestion of "bring a friend" and likes to bring not just one friend, but a whole cheering squad! Well done Amy, you are our recruiter No. 1!

With a pretty simple, downhill and super short run to the task, you'd think that nothing could go wrong getting there. Alas, I seem to have some geographical mind block when it comes to the Pagoda Centre but after a nervous hesitation, we didn't go too far off course (compared to last time we ran there at least!).

We were greeted by Zilan and the sight of an office worth of furniture stacked up in the main hall. A very patient group were also trying to enjoy a Tai Chi session next to this mess and with our team stomping around. Oh dear!

Zilan explained that the Pagoda Centre (Liverpool's Chinese youth and community centre) hasn't been painted in at least 10 years... maybe more. So we got to work smartening the place up, tackling the main office, three bathrooms and a corridor. It was a tricky job, working in close proximity to each other, to walls and furniture, as well as some dodgy paint and some rough drips. But all in all, we left the place in a much better state than we found it, feeling fresh and bright.

A big shout out and welcome to so many newbies: Davey, Esme, Ellie, Casey, Tafwauli and Fiona - you all did a fab job and we'd love you to run with us again soon!

After the task, it was uphill back to base. We stopped half way for a quick fitness session with half the group tackling hill (slope!) sprints and the other half doing some strengthening and conditioning drills. Everyone gave it there all.

Fantastic work folks, so great to have you on board!

Next week is our BIG CHRISTMAS RUN when we'll be jingling all the way to the Liverpool Irish Centre followed by drinks at Liverpool Arts Bar. Find out more and sign-up here.

15 runners, constant drizzle, a dark task and 5km of running; just another Autumn night at GoodGym Liverpool!

It looks like we're set to have the soggiest Autumn ever, yet a little damp weather doesn't stop the mighty GoodGym! The 15 strong team took the 2.5km run to Everton Park brow in their stride and were greeted with the last moments of dusk and a brilliant pink sky over the city.

Welcomed by John from Friends of Everton Park, he explained that his plan had been for us to count the street lights that were out. But sadly, it was actually easier to count the few that were still on. Divided into four fab teams, the crew headed off across the park, noting the good light numbers as they went.

In the lighter months, we spend every sixth week at Everton Park and to mark the end of the summer, this was part one of a double whammy to say farewell. Next week, we'll return with a slightly different task and the hope of better weather.

A big shout out and welcome to newbie Josh who did a fab job and easily kept pace. And welcome back to Basma, who has been away traveling for six weeks; so good to see you!

The plan had been for a steps and hills fitness session but the inclement weather had made it too slippery. Instead, we utilised a basketball court for a quite fartlek session before making the return run.

A big well done to everyone. Don't forget to send me the numbers for the lights and to bring your head torches again next week :)

P.S. Kudos to Tim for the run report pun.

New attendance record claxon!!! A gray day in October goes down in GoodGym Liverpool history as our highest single Group Run attendance (to date!) with a massive team of 34 runners helping out.

What a difference a week makes. Last Monday we dropped in to single figures for the first time in months, as only the brave showed up in torrential weather. A week later and we're tearing up the GoodGym Liverpool record book. Amazing stuff folks, thanks to everyone for being there.

This week's task was based at one of our favourite places and iconic Liverpool building, the Bombed Out Church. After a run around the back streets of less than a 1km we arrived feeling fresh. Following a short history lesson from Ambrose, custodian of this wonderful building, we were soon put to work. The church's seriously heavy wooden pews, which we've moved before multiple times, were a breeze to carry with so many hands to help.

After rearranging the furniture we split into two groups whom I shall casually term Team Mud and Team Broom. Team Mud's task was to shift a tonne of top soil one hundred metres before spreading it on a new bed. Dirty work, but satisfying. Meanwhile, Team Broom gave the steps surrounding the church (a daily hangout spot for folks waiting for the bus, snacking on take away and local homeless folks passing the day) a good old brush and weed, since they are always in need of a little LTC. Both teams made quick work of their tasks in spite of the fading light (head torches at the ready next week folks!).

A huge shout out, thank you and massive well done to Amy for her incredible recruitment drive, convincing half of her cheerleading squad to join GoodGym. And to all of the squad, thanks so much for coming and do join us again soon :)

After the task we nipped back up the hill and went to the Met Cathedral for our fitness session. (As usual) I may have overcomplicated the session a little but at its heat was team camaraderie, mixed running drills and of course, steps! Everyone worked super hard and got their hearts pumping but saved a little energy for our Strava segment on the way back to base.

Amazing efforts everyone! Thanks so much for being part of a record breaking evening of getting fit while doing good.

P.S. Kudos to Task Force who turned out on mass (all 12 of them!) for a really productive meeting post-run. Amongst other things, we started to look ahead towards the January Challenge...!!!! Watch. This. Space.

Our 17 Santas and elves put the merry into Merry Christmas, running 6km to help the Liverpool Irish Centre.

Christmas came early at GoodGym Liverpool. Our task was to hang decorations at Liverpool Irish Centre, a community hub that celebrates and promotes Irish culture in the city as well as supporting the large diaspora community here. Ahead of a decorating task, the team decorated themselves with Christmas hats, tinsel, fairy lights and jingle bells. What the people of Liverpool made of us as we ran down those main roads flashing and jingling, Father Christmas only knows! But we loved every minute of it.

After a 3km run, jingling all the way, we were met by Clodagh who led us to a huge pile of decorations as well as a box of chocolates and some jugs of water – what a treat! We were at the centre during their weekly Irish music lessons so were treated to an interesting soundtrack of flute, tin whistle and fiddles as we went about our festive business.

Everyone really got into the spirit of it, but the shout out goes to Karen (aka Madam Elf) and Sam (tinsel toes) for really going for it with the fancy dress. I never would have guessed it would be these two ;) And also a "nice one" and thank you to Pauline for Christmas tree hoodie and for brining extra accessories to share.

With the inside now glittering, we headed to the car park for a quick fitness session, otherwise known as a shooting star relay race. Then it was downhill as we jingled back to base. Thanks to Sophie for leading the team home while I enjoyed a rare chance to play backmarker.

Don’t forget that our official Christmas Jolly is on Sunday 16 December and you can sign-up here.

Next week we’ve a similar distance to run before heling out a youth centre with some painting and tidying. Christmas outfits not required, but festive spirit a must! Let me know if you’re coming.

Until then,

Happy running, Char