Slow Ways is a website launched in 2021 which enables users to plot a route between two settlements in the United Kingdom. The routes are not intended to be the fastest route possible, but rather encourage walkers to rediscover unused footpaths and engage in more leisurely walks.

On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon met with keen runners from a variety of different Goodgym boroughs at the Arsenal Community Hub for a slightly different version of our classic group run. Our objective for the evening was to review a previously submitted "Slow Ways" route listed on the official nationwide pedestrian mapping website. Together, we were planning on running the full course, and to publish feedback on whether we could recommend the route or not.

We ran to Highbury and Islington Underground station, and then ran through Highbury Fields to start the Slow Ways for Highbury and Islington to Wood Green aka (WooHig 2). Bouncing up and down the slopes of North London, we passed the original Emirates Stadium before approaching Arsenal Tube Station. Our map was encouraging us to run through Gillespie Park Nature Reserve- however we made the decision not do due to a lack of lighting. This was highlighted as a consideration for fellow night-time travellers on the Slow Ways website page.

Next stop, Finsbury Park, with new and improved flood lights installed for the community. This made such a difference, and we all felt safe to run through even at night. The famous Harringay Ladder loomed at the bottom of Green Lanes (just beyond the New River Path). This is a well known running segment developed by teammates at London Heathside AC- a 10km challenge that covers the inclines and declines between Green Lanes and Turnpike Lane. Luckily, we were running up the Harringay Passage instead- a lovely cut through corridor that passes through over 21 streets!

Upon reaching Turnpike Lane, we started to see city streets and shops again for the first time- we knew that Wood Green high street was close by. Sure enough, we completed our full approximately 5 mile run outside Wood Green Station- successfully reviewing a Slow Ways. Well done everyone!

To celebrate, our crew enjoyed some delicious cuisine at Ezra's Kitchen along with some much appreciated refreshments. Excellent work!

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Goodgym Islington News

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Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions

Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations

On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.

Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!

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Thursday 7th March- Paddington Rec Track, Maida Vale Underground station

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-56caeb9c-271d-4ebf-ae32-39a21d37e518

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Thursday 14th March- Emirates Stadium, Arsenal Underground station

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-ca0a8acc-d9db-47ee-abc4-0c8e4fb44637

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Thursday 21st March- Paddington Rec Track, Maida Vale Underground station

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-fb5f19b9-1919-44a1-9346-bff59d614db7

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Thursday 28th March- Stratford Olympic Park, Stratford Underground station (Westfield exit)

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route

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ON Running Spitalfields run club- Thursday morning wake up runs!

Thursday 29th February, 7am, ON Running Spitalfields, Brushfield Street

Area Activator Simon has set up a series of morning runs, hosted on Thursday mornings at the new ON Running store in Spitalfields market.

A social 5km before work, with the option to take out a pair of ON Running shoes for a test spin.

Next run is on Thursday 7th March:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/on-running-spitalfields-group-classic-5km-social

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Slow Ways and Goodgym Islington Social

Monday 4th March, 6.45pm onwards, Arsenal Community Hub

For our first group run of March, we will be reviewing a running route for the Slow Ways mapping network, starting in Highbury and Islington, and finishing in Wood Green. Great social running times!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-slow-ways-route-review-highbury-and-islington-to-wood-green

And afterwards, we are planning on visiting Ezra's Cafe in Wood Green for refreshments, food and chat

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-ezra-s-kitchen

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The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!

Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green

The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!

Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-volunteer-morning-a8ded94f-fce2-43ab-b7a2-a6a0c0df721e

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Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning

Saturday 9th March, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington

A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.

Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people.

A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-march-09fce343-68ae-4145-9c0c-35f3ac1e345b

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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (March)

Saturday 16th March, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens

Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-march

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Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day

Sunday 16th March, 11am - 1pm, 85-87 Wood Vale, Highgate Woods

Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-march-2024

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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day

Sunday 31st March, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens

Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-march-e9440349-024e-4bcb-8dfb-08b0e2c38ab7

This friendly and lovely group caught the early-bird worm this morning, as we walked, ran, and explored Regent's Park's inner pathways and outer rings.

Some of us were catching up, whilst others were getting to know each other, and we shared stories along our morning movements.

After 35 minutes, we took a table - shared teas, coffees, and juices - and enjoyed a few Midday moments in a sun that felt more than a little like spring :)

Thanks for this morning, all, and here's to the next one!!

One by one GoodGymers arrived at the Stewart Street Community Centre on the Isle of Dogs.

(Thanks to Martin, and later Chris's, interventions, the postcode and address were accurate-ish come meeting time).

Meet and Greet

With a greeting team consisting of Ricardo and Chris​ on Stewart Street; Matt and Sam from Thames21 inside, it was a good-sized welcome for those joining us as we approached 7:15.

Partnering with Thames21

Matt from Thames21 led the briefing, giving the team a little background on the charity’s activity; their work on the Isle of Dogs, and an outline of where we’d be heading tonight.

Forming two groups (those who wanted a longer run heading off with Matt; those opting for a shorter run and a little warm-up with me) we made our way out onto the river front, admiring the scenery.

Stopping at ‘The Beach’/Kelson Beach/Folly House Beach, to collect a decent amount of litter, GoodGymers wasted no time putting together hoops and bags and dispersed along the shingle, gathering a good amount of debris as the tide headed in.

Making their way along the front, clearly visible by head torches, hi-vis and of course the distinctive red t-shirt, it seemed like we’d only been at the Beach a short while, before it was time to head back to base, empty bags, and head on with the run.

...A little more mileage

A small group opted for a walk-run along the river, and the larger group impressively headed out with Matt, who took the team through the foot tunnel no less, to catch a quick glimpse of the Cutty Sark the other side of the river, before running speedily back to base.

As we said our cheerios, we were busily planning the next meetup, looking forward to another productive river run.

Next week

...we’re back to Bow, to see Kieran and Frankie at the GET OUT garden.

Until then.

Two goodgymmers litterpicked around the outernet. They cleared a fair amount of rubbish and received a number of thank yous whilst at it.

We gathered at phoenix cinema to do some litter picking, but this was proper plogging ( Scandinavian style, ) running through the streets and green spaces of East Finchley skewering, rubbish with litter, pickers. To do this at speed is quite an art! Rather like jousting, you run at your piece of rubbish, and just at the right moment lower your litter picker down to make the interception. We headed towards Ally Pally and a magnificent view of London on a clear, warm autumnal evening. We were moving out of Barnet into another borough, so this was a proper boarder raid! We picked up a lot of rubbish en route and then split into pairs to work around the hill of Alexandra Palace. It was a lovely setting with bats dancing above us in the dark night sky. We headed back along the same route led bye Rachel, who set quite a pace. We stopped to do some star jumps to make sure we got our heart rate up for the final leg back to the Phoenix. We warm down with some stretches and had a nice social at a local restaurant! Great to see Jacqui & John back. Thanks for coming running and securing some rubbish !