5 top Goodgym runners joined Area Activator Simon for our 2nd official trip to the Stratford Olympic Park with all abilities running club Achilles International. Together, we had an abundance of visually impaired runners, bag drop supporters and guide runners meeting at the Westfield exit of Stratford Station, before battling some strong winds towards the West Ham stadium (our bag drop location).

It was awesome to catch up with our running friends- Andrew and Tim are currently in the depths of training for London Marathon. Chris Blackabee, Severine and daughter Siri also joined us after travelling from Belgium last week. Chris was featured on a smashing interview on the BBC about the Achilles International collaboration with London Landmarks Half Marathon next week.

Listen to the interview (from 45 minutes in) here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hfr8bt?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Achilles International held a smashing meet up event at the Runthrough Chase the Sun Battersea Park 5km and 10km races. So pleased to have such a strong Goodgym contingent as well (including first time Goodgymmer Luc and first time race guide Yi- congratulations!). A wonderful evening of all abilities running with excellent people!

On Thursday 29th February (the special leap year day!), 8 visually impaired runners, guides (experienced and new- welcome to Yi!), support helpers and a lovely guide dog pup called Mario tried out our new group run location at Stratford Olympic Park. Together, we met by the Westfield exit barriers of the underground station, before walking together to the London Aquatics Centre, our established bag drop location (under a covered area in case of rain).

The run was a complete success, we some participants using the Westham Stadium concourse as a training circuit, and others running up towards Waterden Park to use the Runthrough Chase The Sun/Chase The Moon course. We all had the freedom to run our own routes on safe, floodlit pedestrianised paths on a dark February evening.

Following the positive feedback from the team, we have decided to include Stratford Olympic Park as a permanent fixture to the Achilles group run event rota.

The next sessions are as follows:

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Thursday 7th March- Paddington Rec Track, Maida Vale Underground station

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-56caeb9c-271d-4ebf-ae32-39a21d37e518

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Thursday 14th March- Emirates Stadium, Arsenal Underground station

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-ca0a8acc-d9db-47ee-abc4-0c8e4fb44637

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Thursday 21st March- Paddington Rec Track, Maida Vale Underground station

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-fb5f19b9-1919-44a1-9346-bff59d614db7

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Thursday 28th March- Stratford Olympic Park, Stratford Underground station (Westfield exit)

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route

4 amazing GoodGymers helped give out over 100 meals to those in need in Westminster!!