Huge appreciations to the amazing Goodgym crew who come down to help at the Saucony London 10km, one of the premier closed road inner city running events in the athletics calender. Goodgym assisted the team from Motiv Sports with coordinating this incredible event, helping with course marshalling, road crossings and sweep cycling on the day. Congratulations, and Thank You for your help!

Area Activator Simon, Maggie and Luke met outside the Arsenal Community Hub on a warm sunny summer evening, ready for a smashing run across the borough. Together, we ran towards Thornhill Square Gardens, a beautiful green idyll off Caledonian Road to meet with resident gardening expert, Anna.

Spades, forks, trowels and watering cans were set out for us in advance, as we had a variety of tasks available. We began with planting new sun flowers in two flowerbeds in the centre of the park, after pouring plenty of water on hard dry soil and digging appropriate holes. Maggie then used edging tools and trowels to chip away at excess green weeds growing from the walls lining the pathways (while avoiding footballs and petting dogs!). Luke and Simon filled wheelbarrows with bark chip and spread the material into flowerbeds across the park. The plan was to regulate moisture from excessive rainfall to protect new plants while they grow!

Wonderful run everyone, and excellent gardening goodness in Thornhill Square Gardens this evening!

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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS

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Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions

Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations

On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.

Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!

Thursday 27th June- Emirates Stadium

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-1f9d4f4c-2b4f-41b4-be34-e19fd35b6e69

Thursday 4th July- Stratford Olympic Park

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-d9691e05-e2b6-4232-89a4-c1f8da26a672

Thursday 11th July- Green Park

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-green-park-summer-session-ab3bf2f2-5408-42de-8afc-95ffbe5cea61

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The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!

Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green

The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!

Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-volunteer-morning-4a5ee8c2-45f1-498a-ab0e-f28b479ede72

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Assitants and Supporters needed for Metro Blind Sport Athletics 2024

Sunday 29th June, 10am - 5pm, Mile End Athletics Track

We are proud of the Metro Games, the only remaining national athletics event specifically for visually impaired people. It’s a great opportunity to take part in athletics at a great facility, have fun, making new friends and catching up with some old friends!

All abilities, ages and sight levels are welcome!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/guide-runners-and-supporters-needed-for-metro-blind-sport-athletics-2024

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Highbury Quadrant Greening with Elizabeth House

Every Saturday, 10.30am - 12 midday, Highbury Quadrant Meadow

A fantastic task for post-parkrun runners at Highbury Fields or Finsbury Park!

Elizabeth House Community Centre, in partnership with Islington Council, Highbury Quadrant Tenants and Residents Association, Highbury Councillors and community organisations transformed three unloved and unusable green spaces on Highbury Quadrant estate.

These green spaces have been designed into three distinct spaces, improving bio-diversity and the local environment. There is now a beautiful meadow, an orchard and woodland areas.

Local residents have the opportunity to access these green spaces and take part in gardening and nature based activities, every Saturday mornings 10 am to 12 pm.

Saturday 6th July-

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/highbury-quadrant-greening-with-elizabeth-house-28e57e19-d0b7-4120-b88f-d4ac1d61e930

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Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning

Saturday 13th July, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington

A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.

Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people.

A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-july-04cc40a5-965a-4e8c-94c4-4f69a922a218

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Saucony London 10km Water Station Volunteers!

Sunday 14th July, 7.30am - 1pm, The Sanctuary, Westminster

An incredible event that offers runners to opportunity to race through traffic free streets in the Capital!

Motiv Sports (who also operate the Hackney Half and Oxford Half marathons) have requested Goodgym assistance to help at their 2nd aid station on the day.

The objective is to have 40 volunteers for each station, handing out water to thirsty runners as they pass by.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-10km-with-saucony-water-station-volunteers

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Barmet AC Golden Stag Mile at Finsbury Park Track

Friday 19th July, 6.30pm onwards, Finsbury Park Track

Come and try the greatest track distance, the mile!

Now in its ninth year, the races are graded so that you get to race people of a similar ability as we love a close finish. Previous editions have seen British, European, and even World age group records.

The races start at 18:30. At the end of the night the final races will decide the Golden Stag Mile titles for 2024.

Entries for the Golden Stag Mile will remain open until 7th July, or until the races are full. Races will be seeded based on your predicted time.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/golden-stag-mile-with-barnet-ac-f838a666-abd3-49b8-a3be-6580f87bb015

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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (July)

Saturday 20th July, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens

Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-july-2588de11-fa4e-42cd-9ecd-d3dbdc292bb3

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Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day

Sunday 21st July, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways

Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-july-2024

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