17 people ran 5k to donate trainers and sort clothing for Birmingham Mission Care Centre

Tonight it was great we had some decent numbers as we were off to Birmingham Mission once again, but this time with a load of trainers and t-shirts kindly donated by members of my Running club Tipton Harriers. We welcomed Lee for the first time, brought a long by Kevin. Everyone had something to carry we had that much stuff. Kevin looking like Santa with his big sack!

Anyways we were on our way at a slightly slower pace, due to being weighed down with all the donations. On arrival John and Maureen were delighted to see all the donations. The group were split into two groups. One helped do some sorting downstairs and the other sorting all the donated trainers.

Once done and after another thank you from John for all the support the group have given the Mission this year, we were on our way again. Next stop hills!

Yes it was the last hill workout of the year. Tonight was 6 minutes of Kenyan hills, meaning running hard up but still at a good tempo back down, so basically 6 minutes of hard graft! Tom and Aaron led the way up. Balal and John put in sterling performances after their weekend of races. John grabbing a new 10k pb on Sunday and Balal Running a good time at the Sneyd 10 miler. Fiona pushed hard sporting a Santa’s hat, Karin, George and Liam put in their customary strong shift. Lee put in some fantastic work on his first GG run. Hills certainly through him in at the deep end! Once done everyone, pretty cream crackered, we quickly headed back to 1000 Trades. With it being a rather nippy evening it was important to keep everyone moving!

Once back, we all had a quick stretch and it was back into the warmth.

Next week we will be out doing good again, it would be great if you could join us sign up here.

19 runners ran 5k to help feed the homeless, sort clothing and provide some donation for Birmingham Mission Care Centre

Tonight we had loads of lovely newbies to GG Brum and Kevin's first return since the first ever GG Brum back nearly two years ago. A very warm welcome to Tom, Marija, Majid, Joy and Donato. Taz from Run Birmingham bringing a group of his runners along, it was great to have you with us and you have certainly inspired me for this weeks pun ;-)

The Birmingham Mission was our task destination tonight. We set off on our way, Liam doing the front marking duties and Rob the back. On arrival John welcomed us as usual, with half the group doing the serving/washing up and the other half sorting clothing with Maureen upstairs. We also had a few donations with Taz and Balal bringing some teabags and Kevin donating a Liam Gallagher style Parker.

hill of doom!

Once the task was done it was time for the ‘hill of doom’ yep it was hill sprints. Six minutes, sprinting up and easy back down. And what a great sight it was, everyone pushing themselves as hard as they could. Tom and Liam led the way. Taz showed great form powering up the hill with what was like a beacon of red light attached to his forehead. Smithy (nickname) put in a great effort as did Fiona, Annie and Leah. I’ve just mentioned a few, but you should all give yourself’s a massive pat on the back as you were all fantastic and it was great to see each and every one of you pushing each other on! Top stuff! A special mention to the first timer's as you were certainly thrown in at the 'deep end' with those hills, so give yourself an extra pat on the back :-)

Once that was done, the group had a picture, a selfie and a couple of minutes to get their collective breaths back before it was time to head back. Once back at our base, it was stretchy time and that was job done.

Next week we will be out doing good again, it would be great if you could join us sign up here.

A great group of 32 people joined us for the Birmingham Goodgym Launch, running 6.2k to clear glass and litter from a school sports pitch in Balsall Heath

GoodGym launch was supported by Run Birmingham and GoodGym's national sponsor is BT - so it was very exciting to be able to bring the two together.

On a rather ‘nippy’ night, everyone was keen to get moving, so we set off from the BT offices in Birmingham city centre and made our way to Balsall Heath. Arriving at the task everyone either took a brush, litter picker or shovel and got to work clearing the nearby sports pitch belonging to Nelson Mandela Primary School.

"two time Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock"

As if that was't exciting enough on it's own, we had a two time Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock (thanks for the Selfie!) joining us at the task as part of the GoodGym Brum launch celebrations. We spent 25 minutes clearing the pitch and I reckon we removed atleast 23kg of glass ;-)

"thighs and bums burning"

Once we had finished the task, Jonnie Peacock gave a speech showing appreciation for what were doing, then we did a little fitness session involving some high intensity high knees, running to get the heart rate soaring and then a bit of leg conditioning work, by getting those thighs and bums burning with some lunges.

We then ran back to base finishing with a bit of stretching and that was job done!

Huge thanks to everyone; the feedback from the Balsall Heath Forum was massively postive; though we didn't get every grain of glass of the pitch it's lightened the load for the next effort.

"our new base of **1000 Trades in the Jewellery Quarter, at 6pm."

Next week we are going to be helping the Guide association and running from our new base of 1000 Trades in the Jewellery Quarter, at 6pm. Sign up here