It was Valentines ParkRun's 666th event this week. They were expecting extra tourists as one of the challenges they like to do is run where the event number is triple digits. James, Eddie and Linda answered the call for extra volunteers and arrived to find the beautiful Valentines bathed in sunshine and starting to show signs that spring is in the air 🌷

After a little catch up with other runners we took to our posts, cheering on and directing cheering nearly 400 runners round the course. Among our 300 or so regular runners some of the tourists were marking the 666 number of the beast session by sporting horns and devil tails 👹, all in good fun.

Most of us met early to be assigned our roles although one turned up in the Saint Nick of time. 🎅😂

Once we were in post some of us took "Elfies" 🧝 for the report.

Not sure if Santa's Reindeer got caught short but there was some 💩 on the course which required extra vigilant marshaling to help runners avoid messy accidents. Apart from that the track was relatively hazard free and we got 240 runners safely round.

We then made our way to the cafe for a little natter and a snack including a slice of Colin the Red Nosed Caterpillar cake.

Merry Christmas GGR 🌲🥳

On a very soggy Saturday 9 of us signed up to join Valentines Parkrun Volunteers.

Our Peter who has been with GGR since its first session was first to arrive and was on his post good and early with a very bent umbrella, regular volunteer (now a legend at Valentines parkrun) Ed was next along with the Mrs, shortly joined by Jenny, James and AJ. As the first timers talk started we splashed off to our respective posts.

198 runners went by in surpisingly good spirits considering the drenching they got. A lone GG Tshirt was spotted among the runners which we can only assume was Harvey-sorry we didnt get to meet you properly.

Not sure where Julia was posted but she popped up just before the end and set of to bag a table in the cafe. We were supposed to have a picnic outside but the weather had other ideas. Parkrun done Sharon (also celebrating a significant birthday this month) scurried off to fetch her home made goodies while we made our way over to the cafe.

Not sure if the cafe turned a blind eye to us brining our own food or too busy to care but we got away with it. We had a lovley selection of nibbles and of course Colin 🐛 making his usual appearance. With half the table discussing politics and football the other side more into food and other topics, a good time was had by all.

Despite no Area Activator and Central Office being unable to support us in helping to find tasks Redbridge GG still has some active members keeping calm and carrying on. Lets hope we can find a way to get more members active in the borough so we get to celebrate more birthdays.

We were treated to a very beautiful sunny morning with a lovely cool breeze! Five of us volunteered and two of us ran!

James came by to say hello before marshalling a local ride and AJ came by for the social bit - this was lovely!

Anit also made it to volunteer as a marshall after being away for a bit!

Manjula returned to goodgym after last year and was a tailwalker!

Sharon came by just in time to join in the volunteering fun!

After the last parkrun participant finished, we found a nice spot in the sun. Some folks got a brekkie, some brought their own stuff and all together we had a nice social time, discussing all matter of subjects as usual - from serial killers to political reforms! So you know, small talk..🤣

Time went by really quickly and the clouds started to move in so we called it a day!

Until next parkrun takeover!

It was a big day on Saturday celebrating 7 years of GGR and 7.5 decades of the NHS plus AJs 100th mission. Actually our birthday is nearer the end of the month but when we had a plea from Valentines Park Run Director to provide extra Marshals for the additional NHS participants Julia had no hesitation in agreeing to move our proposed take over/celebration forward a bit.

10 Good Gym helpers were allocated our various posts . We had a welcome visitor in John from GG Tower Hamlets on his first visit to Valentines. John was pleased to be given token sorting allowing him to both run and volunteer in one go. AJ wasn't needed until the end so she joined Ed and Linda on the Boat House/Carpark areas where we photographed her with her belated 100 missions banner 👏🏻

Other pre start activities were Sharon pointing out a litter picking opportunity, reports of ducks on the track, Anit announcing track all clear on his patch and Peter stripping off due to the heat🙈.

It was a great atmosphere of fun an enthusiasm from all the participants, some were not used to exercise so things took a little longer than usual, Jenny's tummy must have been rumbling as a cry of "any one seen the tail walkers" went up. Luckily they weren't far away and we were soon sat down and tucking in. A lively discussion on pros and cons of going vegan struck up with James taking the helm on the pro side.

With the threat of thunderstorms looming we packed up our picnic and hopefully all made it home before the rain.

A brilliant morning of cheering at the parkrun, fitness activities and a social in the cafe!

Parkrun Volunteering: We had a big group of 8 show up on this somewhat overcast but mild Saturday morning to provide some good cheer and volunteering in the Valentine's parkrun. We got there early, with 5 folks cycling from across the borough for some pre-parkrun volunteering. Once the briefings were done we walked over to our respective places. It was lovely for the parkrun run director Dennis to give us a shout out at the start! It's always such a great time volunteering - lots of cheering, lots of support and just a great achievement by all to start the weekend!

Video-stars in the making! A huge shoutout to everyone participating in the training videos for my qualifications! I've just watched the filming and our camera-heros LInda and Peter did an amazing job! I even managed to get the timings right! James, Anit, Linda, Jenny and Kathryn did excellently going through my warm ups and running exercises - thank you!!!!

Cafe and Cake Thankfully we found an empty table and got ourselves some cup of teas and brekkie food and also shared the Colin the Coronation Caterpillar cake - a tradition from the 1st GoodGym birthday that just keeps on going! There were some cake decapitations happening but it was in no way reflective of the feelings towards the monarchy!!!! Anit brought in delicious indian snacks as well with a nice chilli kick! As usual range of topics were covered but it was just lovely to sit down and have a mini-social together.

Birthday blunders We had a couple of birthdays this week - Linda and Kathryn celebrated it! Whilst Kathryn had to rush off, we toasted the cake and also realised that the actual birthday was not today but yesterday!!!!! oopsy daisy and hope Kathryn forgives us!

Amazing morning out and let's do it again soon! In fact, I'll setup another 'parkrun takeover' in three months for some social fun, in the meantime see everyone next week to run/volunteer again:)