A 14 strong team tonight in it for the long run! That's right, tonight we had a run just under the 10km mark to achieve and we did good! After a swift warm up of swinging legs and curtsey lunges we headed off through the Kingston streets with one clear message in our minds - don't leave anyone behind! In true GG spirit the front runners ran back, the mid runners ran further back and the back markers ensured we all ended up at the task. Even Fionn became Flash Gordan sprinting back and forth to ensure everyone was present. With such a lengthy run it was great to see such team work in play and thanks to Mark's head torch we didn't get lost.

Our task tonight was at Sustrans , a charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle in the borough, how did they do this? Building cycle paths, putting on cycle challenges and promoting how good this type of travel is for the environment. We were met by the very helpful Lucy and Annie who had gloves, forks, shovels and refreshments to keep us going.

We needed all the help we could get!

This was a meaty gardening task, we removed nettles, weeds, and took on the mighty "sticky thistle balls" (the correct name for them is "Burdock") . Burdock readily attaches itself to clothes and fur, or in tonight's case - hair! That's right, poor *Kate * was attacked by a number of these little critters that had to be carefully removed.

There's no end to a good deed with GoodGym

Many of us were the running wounded by the end of this arduous task with stings, itching, new hair dos and the stench of some dog mess lingering on someone's shoe but we soldiered on. We headed back to the Guildhall, lighting up the streets with our headtorches and proud of what we had achieved tonight.

We covered so much ground , well done everyone!

Look forward to doing more good next Tuesday in Kingston

13 GoodGym runners took off to KIngston Cemetery tonight

Dark and spooky, with runners torches providing the light

Those with tools cut whilst others gathered and we began to see

Those 19th century headstones with all their history.

Samia felt something in her hair but didn't freak out much

As she discovered it was her own hair making that touch

The pile of cuttings grew and grew then it was time to head back

luckily for us the spirits stayed away and didn't attack

Great to see Jenni and Philly back for their second run,

and thanks to all for the group run pun.

Shout out to Mark for stretching us all after

and to Toby our lost backmarker!

I am not looking forward to doing this on a real tightrope! #goodgym #kingston #warmup pic.twitter.com/Pl0OpDuWt6

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) September 11, 2018

Fourteen keen runners returned to Kingston Mencap. Mencap is a local charity which supports adults with a learning disability and their families and carers. It is active in its support for initiatives to improve services for people with learning disabilities.

Before heading out to the task we were treated to another of Mark’s great warm-ups by the coronation stone in front of the Guildhall. Coordination was briefly tested and cores engaged with various exercises. We had such a great time with it all we ended up rolling around in the grass (because that is basically what was demonstrated for us to do right?). Oblique muscles were strengthened by pushing arms against a partner and then partners hopped in squatted box steps to get ourselves all set for the run. Once warmed up and muscles ready, we ran off towards Kingsmeadow weaving and dribbling through the crowds of football supporters heading to watch a game.

The sweeper was behind the leaves! #footballpun #kingston #goodgym #runninggroup pic.twitter.com/6ptOOIeYwt

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) August 21, 2018

We were cheered on as we entered the car park and the crowds of supporters in the stands beside the Searchlight Centre applauded us as we set to work. At least that’s what we chose to be-leaf even if they were all wearing football tops! We came to kick some grass and ran away feeling like winners! We had a ball without needing to go near one! Our first task was to clear the car park of all the leaves that had taken over and become a nuisance. We were given a couple of brooms, a rake and some bin bags. Sweepers got behind the leaves and got them all piled up. With our whole group taking handfuls, we managed to fill the bags and clear the lot very quickly. There was more than just standing broom only by the time we’d finished with the lot. We were practica-leaf-inished when we’d run out of time. We hope we were able to leaf an impression!

We had BAGS of fun tonight! #goodgym #volunteering #running #mencap #searchlight #autumniscoming pic.twitter.com/R4nPE3JILc

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) August 21, 2018

Some of us then went around to the front garden while others continued with gathering leaves. The front garden needed some mowing, pulling up weeds and digging, cutting back leaves and general tidying up. With renewed mow-tivation, Goodgymers set to work. Fionn and Toby had no mowns about cutting the grass! But unfortunately we had run out of time before we had run out of tasks! We fought the lawn and the lawn won so we’ve vowed to return again in the autumn for some more leaves. Everyone made it back safely for some nice cool down stretches as the sun set. Thank you Toby for the great back marking.

@goodgym brings "shear" joy! pic.twitter.com/yyzx2w35EC

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) August 21, 2018

"We fought the lawn and the lawn won!"

Well done to everyone who came out to join us for another Kingston good deed done in the community. Special welcome to new runners – Jennie, Holly and Michelle from Mencap who joined us on our run!

Mark reminded us about the taskforce set up that is getting set up for us in Kingston. Once you’ve completed ten runs you’re welcome to join the taskforce to help organise things that are happening with our group runs in Kingston. Some tasks include welcoming new members, back marking on a group run, promoting on social media, writing the run reports and marketing.

In other news, there is a Park Run take over being set up in Richmond Park this Saturday and if you’d like to volunteer please contact Jane. Following that there is a community mission listed under Hounslow at 11:00 this Saturday to do some gardening to support the NHS services centre in Isleworth. You can sign up on the website or please speak to Samia if you’d like more details.