Jo G

parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5K run happening in parks and beaches and running tracks all around the world every Saturday morning, and anyone can run, walk or volunteer at any event.

Many of you will already be active parkrun runners and volunteers, and many of you may never have gone to one before, but we thought it would be fun to have once a month GoodGym Liverpool get together to enjoy/explore the various parkruns we have in Merseyside, (and maybe even occasionally further afield for a bit of parkrun tourism). It's also a great chance to come and join in with us if you've never been to a parkrun before.

The beauty of parkrun is that it doesn't matter if you are a serious runner or have never ran before, you can do the 5K however you like (walk, hop, boogie, plod, run like billy-o), you can also volunteer to help marshal the runners round the route, scan tokens, cheer everyone on etc. So wherever you are at with fitness/desire to run you can join us and be part of GoodGym Does parkrun!

This month we will be going to Birkenhead parkrun as we had to cancel it in December due to weather and illness!

Important bits...

*If you haven't done this one before, all the information you need is on their website linked above.

*If you haven't done any parkrun before and you want to get a time for your run/walk/volunteering then you will need to register with this link to get a barcode. It's free and all the information you need is on their website, but you can also ask us in the comments on this listing if you have any questions!)

*If you want to run/walk you can just sign up here so we know to look out for you

*If you want to volunteer with the Birkenhead Hall parkrun team for this session then sign up here so we know to look out for you too, but you must contact the Birkenhead team birkenhead@parkrun.com to to sign up with them as a volunteer for the morning and follow their instructions for meeting up for the volunteers briefing.

We'll be meeting near the starting point next to the trees just past the entrance to the park via Park Road West onto Park Drive (do check the w3w link to see exactly where) at 8:40am to say hi together and share a warm up and walk round to the starting point ready for the 9am run.

What 3 Words Location Link

Do wear your GoodGym t-shirts (if you have one!)

Newcomers really welcome, we never leave anyone behind!!

(and yes, we know, parkrun isn't a race!!)

Welcome to GoodGym Liverpool

We're a friendly and social group who combine exercise with helping out in the local community. We meet every Monday evening to get active and do a physical task to help the charities and community organisations and projects across the Liverpool City Region.

Most Group Runs will be lead one of our fabulous volunteer qualified Run Leaders, but watch out for ones listed as 'Social Runs' as this means no Run Leader is present but we still go out and run together keeping our 'no one left beind' GoodGym vibe in place!

The Task

Details to be confirmed, do check back for info!

The Run

We'll be meeting at the Suitcases on Hope Street for a warm up and a 2K - 5Krun (with walk option) to the task. What 3 Words meet up link

With the evenings still darker we advise you to dig out those hi viz clothes and head/chest torches if you have one! Run Safe.

If you prefer the walk option, or would rather meet us at the venue either leave a comment below or message Ema via our whatsapp group or email (ema@goodgym.org)

// UPDATE: This task is now happening outdoors with a couple of tables on the patio area due to concerns around covid safety

For our last Community Mission of the year we will be going back to our old friends at the Greenhouse Project on Lodge Lane to help wrap Christmas presents for the local kids

The Greenhouse Project exists to enable Liverpool’s children, young people and their communities to access opportunities that support their creative development, understanding and celebration of diversity.

This task has been a GoodGym Liverpool Christmas favourite for the past few years so it's a really lovely one to finish on.

COVID Safety

This is an indoor task and we are required to do a lateral flow test on the day of the task and wear facemasks. We have a large room to work in with doors and windows open for ventilation. We also ask that if you have had any covid symptoms or have been in contact with anyone with symptoms please do not attend the task without a PCR test.

I always enjoy getting outside for a run or walk on the Winter Solstice - making the most of the limited daylight and celebrating that from now on, the days will start getting longer again. And what better than to meet your GoodGym pals at sunrise to reflect on the year just passed!

We'll be meeting at Otters cafe on Otterspool Prom at about 8.15 am for a social ~ 5k out-and-back run/walk along the riverside, followed by breakfast at the cafe at about 9am. If you just want to join for breakfast, that's fine but please let me know so we aren't waiting in vain for you at the start of the run/walk. Likewise you are welcome to just come along for the run. Please note that this is a social event rather than a formal training session and there will be no run leader present.

The cafe has outdoor as well as indoor seating if people would prefer that - but do remember to bring a warm layer or two!

We loved our evening run around Sefton Park so much we're doing it again! The park is a beautiful place to run around the outside ring of an evening and is always bustling with people going for runs so the energy has a buzz in the air.

//Join us for 4K or 8K circuit of Sefton Park, one lap or two it's up to you!

And as always there will also be a walking option through the meandering pathways, trees and lakeside if you prefer!
Please let Ema know in advance if you would prefer the walking option so this can be planned too

Everyone is welcome and we will have a back marker so no one is left behind.

As the nights are dark we advise everyone to wear some hi vis running gear, and bring a head or chest torch too, the pathways can often have leaves on them and may be muddy and slippy in places so do wear appropriate running shoes!

Meeting point is at the Obelisk on Aighburth Drive. What 3 Words location link