First things first, a big thank you to all the Hackney Moves Run Club runners who got stuck into their first ever GoodGym task. In a change from their usual agenda, they joined forces with GoodGym to put their bundles of energy to good use relaying the woodchip path at Springfield Park.

We gathered at Stronghold Climbing Centre where we started with a GoodGym x Hackney Moves intro. We had a couple of pacers throughout the group who were on hand to chat to the runners about their goals for Hackney Half Marathon and hopefully become a friendly face on race day!

It wasn't long before we arrived in Springfield Park to meet Ash who directed us to the huge pile of mulch and the path that needed relaying.

In true GoodGym fashion, we split into groups: - Diggers: those piling the woodchip into the wheelbarrows - Wheelbarrowers: transporting the woodchip to the path - Rakers: spreading the woodchip once it was delivered

Time flies when you're having fun and before we knew it, it was time to head back to the start point!

We made a huge difference tonight and hope everyone enjoyed their first experience of getting out into the community and doing good whilst also getting fit.

The Hackney Moves Team had kindly provided drinks to keep us hydrated post-run whilst we had a quick chat about all things GoodGym and Hackney Moves Run Club.

With the morning light beaming, we gathered in Borough Yards (an amazing place to grab a coffee, some food or even a cinema ticket if you're in the area!) and the excitement of a Saturday morning doing good fell upon us.

Our task today was one of utmost importance, sanctioned by the King himself. He decreed the surrounding green spaces of the Tower of London must match the excellence of the Crown stored within.

The King’s decrees aside, the infamous FNL speakers jumped into action and at 10am we set off from Borough Yards for our 6km run to reach our destination, Tower Hill Terrace. The council had called in the big guns (not you Sam), GroundEcotherapy to help transform the area to a space people could enjoy when visiting one of London’s tourist hotspots.

After an insightful intro with Ivo from GoodGym, and Paul from Grounded Ecotherapy we managed to shift 5 tonnes of soil and LECA (a sort of lightweight clay ball) up a few flights of stairs and completely empty 4 huge planters so new drainage could be put in. What we did today allows the planters to finally be fit for use. The next task is refilling them which you’re welcome to join us for.

Imogen correctly identified our group as definitely having the best time of any runners out this morning, mentioning how great it was to put all this energy into something that is also good for the community!

In less than an hour we felt well and truly accomplished. Haseeb even noted how good it’ll feel to walk past Tower Hill Terrace knowing we helped create it once it was all finished. It was still morning, we’d ticked off a sun fuelled run and helped improve a community space for one of London’s most visited locations. Only one thing remained, a quick return journey to our meet point and a surprise non-alcoholic brew waiting for us courtesy of Athletic Brewing.

Hopefully the feel-good vibes have fuelled an amazing Saturday for you. We do this combination of fitness and volunteering a lot (literally every week) and you’re welcome anytime. See what else is happening here

You’ll also find GoodGym at FNL’s upcoming Couch to 50k festival in Battersea Park. We’ll be hosting some exclusive training sessions in the weeks leading up to the festival. Come say hi, don’t be a stranger if you’re going.

A big shout to Borough Yards for hosting us as we met in the morning. Please do check them out here.