Linda was feeling her age and a bit under the weather, regretting setting up a mission to celebrate her 200th parkrun when she had only done 199 so couldn't opt out today 😩.

Fortunately Valentines had more than enough volunteers leaving Peter and James free to offer their moral support trotting round with Linda at a much slower pace than they are used to. Ed and Sharon had been given Marshaling spots so were shouting support from their posts. Jaquie stayed behind after her run to encourage Linda over the finish line and take photos/video to prove the run got done (she also provided a commemorative "200" badge), Katherine double backed after her run to add to the support posse.

Not all were official volunteer roles but technically everyone was supporting a vulnerable older person 🤪 which is what goodgym is all about. 🤗

We then went on to "The Spoons" for a celebratory cuppa and a mini Wiggles The Caterpillar.

Husband and Wife Ed and Linda arrived at Frenford Food Bank, shortly followed by partners Natalie and Peter with Kathryn and her Mum (one day we will get her Mum to officially sign up to GG) making three GG family pairing connections.

Happy to see Simone made a welcome comeback for her second session here and sending a huge GG welcome message to Addie who completed her first GG mission today with style...I hope you found the shortcut out Addie and that we can look forward to seeing you again😁

Not sure if there were many more family connections but there was at least one Sister-in-law pairing in the other group of volunteers. Regardless of kinship the combined teams worked together like one big happy family. With so many of us working well together we got 60 packages prepared in record time. It ended up that what scheduled as a tea break ended up as a cuppa and chat which finished the session.

Peter...was there really any need to photograph Linda blowing her nose? ...every family has got one naughty character and you are definitely ours 🙄😂

Valentines day fell on a Saturday... so a few extra numbers were to be expected at Valentines Parkrun. Not sure anyone could have predicted this volume though...

After a surprise surge last year, with numbers doubling the usual attendance, the main crew planned well to be able to cope with things this year. So well organised, no need for more people to sign up for volunteering, including Goodgym crew.

Ofcourse Ed is the exception to that, since he is very much part of the core parkrun volunteers - he took up his usual position marshaling the main car park. Linda joined Ed to give him a hand while I joined another regular, Liz, at the 2nd car park.

James, Julia & Jenny braved the crowds and ran, while Sharon took her time walking round and taking selfies with people (you might recognise a famous face in some pics...)

A few of the pictures give a hint of how busy it was, even early on - the queue to pose with the parkrun sign was significant at 8.30... not sure I'd want to know the toilet queues at any point! Guess the main indicator how extremely busy it became was when there was a 1/4 mile queue for the tokens and thus finish line... just about everyone was happily chatting & socialising making their way to the end though

So.... in case you were wondering, number... Normal attendance at Valentines is about 350-450, today at event #715 the finishers seem to total.... 2331

Huge admiration and compliments to the Parkrun crew for sorting it all out

6 Goodgym Members and 5 Friends of Frenford joined forces to get this months foodbank picking and packing done.

We all worked together like a well oiled machine and got the job done in no time.

A massive welcome to our two newbies Melanie and Simone who turned up full of enthusiasm and energy, they took to the job like ducks to water and seemed to really enjoy it too. Kudos also to Peter and Sharon for giving up some of their valuable annual leave to be there and to Linda and Ed for keeping the shelves full.

With the weather being pretty decent, about 450 people popped down to Valentines Park for their parkrun fix.

Ed did his usual at the car park entrance. Linda was released from her usual guiding duties and enjoyed a run instead. James ran, joined Ed for a while and helped clearing up the funnel. Barcode scanning for me.

In 2 weeks time the busy 450 will seem like nothing - Valentines day falls on a Saturday...