For the fifth in the GoodGym Race Team 2019 'Big-Six' series over a hundred GoodGym runners came from across the country from Newcastle, Sheffield, Cardiff, Portsmouth, London, Swindon and a few other places in-between to the South West for the Bath Two tunnels race and a GG South West summer party.

Summary

There are loads of photos here, and a brief description below to make sense of the images:

parkrun

The weekend started at Somerdale Pavilion parkrun where runners both marshalled and ran the crazy 'curly wurly' course, the sight or #redthunder flooded across the course was lovely, it was agreed that trying to describe the course is nearly impossible it just needs to be run/walked to be enjoyed.

River Run

A few runners then enjoyed a trail run along the River Avon from the parkrun to the community mission, although the heat and owing to a few people not reading the event description it was tougher than some thought. but the joy on Dharmesh’s face when he saw bits of countryside was lovely "oooo a duck!".

Community mission

Next a GoodGym weekend would not be complete without a good deed (or a double deed day for the parkrun High-Vis Heroes) So we convened on Bramble Hill farm which would be our venue for the party, but we had to earn those burgers first! Therefore Chris (GG Bristol founder) set us all to work, weeding, watering and digging whilst we all talked to other GoodGym members from across the country. The sight of nearly a hundred GoodGym red t-shirts spread across the farm like a swarm of helpful locusts reminds us of the joys of GoodGym that many hands can achieve so, so much.

🎂Party Time

So, after the running and doing good, it was time to have the GG SW summer party and unlike last year the weather was in our favour with glorious sunshine!
So with the venue of the Northern Slopes (confusingly in the south of Bristol) and a backdrop of the Clifton suspension bridge (if you knew where to look) the party commenced with the running events of a Vertical 100m race (yes 100m of climbing) and 'what goes up must come down' therefore there was also the west country tradition of Cheese rolling down a hill with some crazy GoodGym runners chasing it (note the hill was not as steep as the real thing!)

Then it was time for a BBQ and general socialise plus the all-important Birthday cake judging.

After the food some further leisurely games were played including:

• Welly Wanging
  
• Three-legged race
  
• Wheelbarrow race
  
• Forward roll race
  
• Aesthetically pleasing forward-roll competition
  
• What's the time Mr Wolf?
  
• Bloody Knee - a Czech kid’s game
  

In addition, some relaxation was available including Goat Yoga and Pig-lattes.

Finally, it was also able to release some anger with a wet sponge throw and a Splat the Marrow game, special thanks to all whom volunteered to be sponge targets!

Race Day

Sunday was race day, and so the tonnes of #RedThunder pulled in to the Bath Two tunnels race station, with a multitude of options from 50K ultra, a 50K team relay option, a 10K, half or full marathon. Everybody had a race to suit them and a chance to challenge themselves.

There were so many achievements with race placings, Personal Bests and runners proving they were on track for an upcoming challenge, these included but are not limited to:
* GG Hammersmith and Fulham 50K mixed relay team - 1st place!
* Alex Moylett - 4th - Lady at Half Marathon
* Rich Dowling - 4th - Half Marathon
* David Ewans - 4th - Marathon

A few thanks and appreciation

Events like this weekend wouldn't be possible without a load of volunteers, so a quick note to say thanks to everyone who made this special weekend happen, from the organising team of the parkun takeover, the BBQ and party, the MC's the bakers, and the race logistics, the pub finders. Also, thanks to everyone who came and those cajoled and organised their fellow GoodGymers to come along too. It really wouldn't be the same without you all.
Matt

Thanks guys for organising today. You put a lot of effort into making it fun and memorable and it certainly was.
Ben

Thanks for a great day everyone.
See you tomorrow
💙 Team Portsmouth

Lovely to meet you all, looking forward to the next big GoodGym get together.
Sophie

Well done to everyone I know there were a lot of PBs 😃 love the two tunnels race!
Clo

Thanks to the organisers, the bakers, the bbq-ers, the farmers and of course the ever amazing support during the race. Safe travels home to those from further afield. (And happy birthday to Matt!).
Emma

What next?

• The next GG Race Team 'Big-6' is the [Scottish Half marathon and 10K (https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/scottish-half-marathon-and-10k)
• The next chance to cheer people on is at the Green Man ultra on Saturday 24th
• Cross country is coming, and the first race of the Gwent league is 12th October in Cardiff - other areas check locally for races.

Do you like the 5 times table? Well, here is a run report for you...

Lex give it up for 50!

50 runners came out tonight - one to celebrate each of Lexi's Good Deeds. Massive congratulations on hitting 50, Lexi! This included 5 new runners joining our crazy crew. Welcome to Francesca, Anna, Lauren, Cerys and Johan - it was great to have you.

For our celebration, the group split into three tasks.

Most of us started off by heading towards Emmaus, stopping for a quick game of Chicken Otter Badger led by Gary and leaving the group looking knackered before we were halfway to the task. Nevertheless, they powered through.

Those who thought they could face more Grit from Gary, went to do hill-running and leafleting for Penny Brohn's upcoming Stomp Sponsored Walk. Under Gary's watchful eye, they zoomed up the hills, around the houses and were back at base in no time. Impressive!

Meanwhile, the second group arrived at Emmaus, where Xanne talked to us about the brilliant work they do then set us to work sorting out the clothes stockroom and the bric-a-brac. The team meticulously sorted the items into piles to sell in store, online and recycle. Darren and Matt got very into pricing silverware, so now we all know where to go if we need some Bargain Hunt advice. Many crazy hats and lampshades later, we had sorted many rails, filled many bags and cleaned up a bunch of bric-a-brac ready to sell. The silverware remains to be confirmed whether it was valuable or not...

Dave led the third group to Bedminster, to plant some lavender bulbs with Urban Buzz. It is the perfect time for planting these, and it will really brighten up the area where we were planting in a few months' time. While Dave, being the good Run Leader he is, was keeping to time and getting the group to finish up ready for a leisurely, direct jog back, the group had other ideas. With Dave having reached his 500th Good Deed at the weekend, Operation Distract Dave was fully underway. Dave was thrown off being a Run Leader, and the group were soon directed on an extensive diversion scattered with as many squats, lunges and tricep dips as required to get 50 runners in the same place and ready for the ceremony of dreams.

King Dave of 500, Prince of Puns and Godfather of Good Deeds

With everything in place (almost), Dave and his group returned to a red carpet of GoodGym tshirts, arched by the friendly Bristol GG faces, leading to a red throne. To the crowds cheering, Dave was donned with a red cloak. Paul stepped to the helm and did a skillful job of anointing Dave as the official King Dave of 500, Prince of Puns and Godfather of Good Deeds (King of GoodGym for short).

Dave made a beautiful speech, but the ceremony was not over yet. Alex and Clo produced the most wonderful Ukulele Duet I have ever seen, to Dave-specials of '500 Good Deeds' (to the tune of 500 Miles) and 'I Want to Be Like Dave' (to the tune of the Jungle Book). Musical and lyrical genius, accompanied by the less musically-talented but incredibly enthusiastic rousing voices of GoodGym Bristol. All of this was followed by Claire's spectacular 500 cake and lots of pints. Well done again Dave and thanks for everything.

And with that, we will give one more Mexican Dave and say thank you very much for a lovely game of fives.