GG Cambridge were out in force today at the Bidwells Town and Gown 10K, with a mix of runners and volunteers!

Setting early alarms, Sandra and I headed to the volunteer tent for our 7.30am start. Supplied with a range of snacks and hot drinks, we were assigned roles in the baggage tent. After a thorough briefing, we split into teams of 3 and worked on our game plan ahead of the runners' arrival 🫡

What started as a gradual trickle of bags soon became a steady flow but built to a torrent in the minutes before the start. It was hectic and busy but SO much fun! Before we knew it, the run had begun and we had some time to breathe 🫨

Meanwhile, Kate, Catherine and Scott laced up their running shoes to take on the 10K challenge. As did Alexandra who, as Fun Runner, cheered on and supported the other participants AS WELL AS running 🙌

During our break, Sandra and I nipped across to the course to cheer on the runners. The stars aligned and Scott came speeding past - if we'd have blinked, we might have missed him! Casually announcing he was still on pace, we cheered him on (well, screamed) and hoped that his recent parkrun PBs were helping him out today ⏱️

Back at the bag drop, the returning runners were proudly displaying their medals and a sense of pride and/or relief. As it did before the race, the busyness built to a crescendo as the bulk of the runners finished, albeit a little easier than earlier in the morning. It also meant that we were able to see all of the GG runners and celebrate their achievements together!

Making it an international running weekend for Team GG, Jacob was in Poland racing the Poznań Marathon - a MASSIVE congratulations from the rest of the team back at home! 🍾

For this week's task, five intrepid GoodGymers braved the Cambridge thunderstorm to visit the Fox Den Community Allotment. ⛈️

Beth, Sandra, Kate, Catherine and I arrived to a mere smattering of rain, before it quickly developed into something heavier. Taking shelter, we met with Chief Allotmenteer Lorna to learn about today's task and assign roles. As well as preparing the paths, today we were to start on the hugel mound! A traditional permaculture method, a hugel mound is a raised bed filled with rotton wood and organic matter, creating a highly fertile soil from materials thay would otherwise go to waste.

First, we needed to dig a crater in which the decaying logs could go. Kate and Sandra wasted no time grabbing shovels and getting stuck in with the chiseling/flaking of the upper layers, while I filled watering cans to drench the layers beneath to help make it diggable. During our dig, we also learned from Lorna how Fox Den got its name, and we hope that one day the foxes may return! 🦊

Meanwhile, Catherine and Beth were on woodchip duty for the path maintenance task. With a wheelbarrow each, the pair completed multiple trips across the allotment, masterfully performing the labour-intensive job. Lulled into a false sense of security, jackets were removed during a dry spell - only for the rain to return when the pair were at the farthest point. Whoops! 🌧

Some rather spectacular thunder and lightning signalled that it was time to head to our August social! Passing sheltering cows, the group cycled to Calverley's Brewery (sadly, the weather once again scuppered our plans to picnic). We were really pleased Becky was able to join, meeting us at the bar just in time for the first beer sampling. Selling the group on the detroit-style pizzas, dinner was sorted. Thank you so much to everyone who came along, it really was a hugel-y enjoyable evening! 🍻🍕