11 Month Streak
Hackney
📍39 Kenninghall Rd E5 8BS
Increasing green space amongst Hackney's residents
Sat 31st May at 10:30am
Increasing green space amongst Hackney's residents
Read moreMon 19th May at 7:15pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening (after the incredible Hackney Half on Sunday- read the report here ), 5 Goodgymmers met Area Activator Simon and Elizabeth House gardening expert Frannie at the lovely Highbury Quadrant Estate near Clissold Park. We were grateful for having a keen team with us, as we had an abundance of tasks to take on!
The resident gardening team have been extremely busy preparing the garden space for London Open Gardens on 7th - 8th June 2025 (find out more here: https://londongardenstrust.org/log2025/gardens/HighburyQ.html), so engaging with Goodgym to offer some extra hands proved to be very helpful! Matt and Vic were taken on a tour of the immediate estates with Frannie, to install banners to advertise the open day. These were fitted using cable ties to multiple railings and walls to spread the word.
In the meantime, Simon, Sarah and Mehmet picked up gardening forks, hoes and wheelbarrows to help with clearing the woodland play area of weeds and green waste. The plan was to flatten out the surface closest to one of the side entrances to establish a spot for a safe fire pit, and a seating area made of logs. We also planned to re-use an old children's kitchen counter (a toy one made of wood) to make a "mud kitchen" outdoor play area for local kids.
When Matt, Vic and Frannie returned, our team picked up the old wooden kitchen counter, and carefully lifted the structure through 2 gates, up some stairs and into the woodland orchard gardens. It slotted perfectly into the area we just prepared, and thankfully stayed nice and steady! As a final task for the evening, we laid out some logs around the perimeter of the play area to encourage children to sit and relax in nature.
Well done everyone on completing some heavy lifting and presentation jobs- hugely appreciated by the residents of Highbury Quadrant Estate!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN MAY
Group Run- Camden Estate Gardens Bank Holiday Session - No Bag Drop! 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 26th May
Community Mission- Camden Estate Gardens 7.15pm, Camden Estate Gardens, Rowstock Gardens Monday 2nd June
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-camden-estate-community-food-gardens
Group Run- Everleigh Gardens Compost Turning 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 9th June
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-everleigh-gardens-compost-turning-heroes
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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!
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 22nd May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-addfc9c2-e2a4-4d39-ac0d-e580031471d8
Stratford Olympic Park (and Runthrough Relays) Thursday 29th May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-and-runthrough-relays
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 5th June https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-a3ff6c7a-86fd-49cc-bf89-8bf08addadab
Emirates Stadium Thursday 12th June https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-f19db9f6-3b2e-47cd-a89b-ddceb04247ed
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 27th May, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House
On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.
Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
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The Garden Classroom- Brickworks Community Roof Garden Session
Friday 23rd May, 10am - 12 midday, Brickworks Community Centre, Crouch Hill
Join us at Brickworks Community Centre to help create a Sensory Garden! This hands-on event will bring together volunteers to plant, design, and beautify this new space
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just looking to get your hands dirty, we welcome all skill levels. Come together with your community to make a lasting impact on our shared space. Let's grow something beautiful together!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-brickworks-community-roof-garden
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Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
Wednesday 21st May
Wednesday 4th June
Wednesday 11th June
Wednesday 18th June
Wednesday 25th June
Saturday 28th June
Wednesday 2nd July
Wednesday 9th July
Wednesday 16th July
Saturday 26th July
Next session:
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Market Road Gardens
Tuesday 3rd June
Tuesday 10th June
Tuesday 17th June
Tuesday 24th June
Tuesday 1st July
Tuesday 8th July
Tuesday 15th July
Next Session:
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Mack on Track 02: marshals and pacers wanted!
Thursday 22nd May, 6.30pm, London Marathon Community Track, Stratford
Mack on Track is a super inclusive 5000m track running event, with a twist. The objective is to help as many runner as possible get (or come close to) their personal beats for 5km by providing trusted pacers to do so.
The team are looking for helps to assist with registration of participants, alerting runners about when each pace group starts and cheering on the athletes!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/mack-on-track-03-marshals-and-pacers-wanted
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Penn Road Gardens - April Volunteer Day
Sunday 27th May, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road. https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/wwf-x-goodgym-islington-penn-road-gardens-open-morning-may
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (June)
Saturday 21st June, 10am - midday, Canonbury Square Gardens
The Friends of Canonbury Square Gardens host an open community gardening session on the 3rd Saturday morning of every month.
Usual tasks would include bulb planting, trimming, laying compost, maintaining flower beds and litter picking.
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London 10km with Saucony- Water Station Volunteers!
Sunday 13th July, 7.30am onwards, Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH
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.
Food and water provided, and a free entry for any 2026 event on the Motiv Sports roster will be offered to all volunteers!
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Free Training Plans and Coaching for The Big Half
Apply by 2nd June 2025
Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon is offering 3 spots for 1-to-1 run coaching for Goodgymmers
Simon has been leading group runs, training sessions and workouts for over 10 years, and has been qualified as a Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) since 2017 and Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) since 2019.
To further his practice, he is looking to broaden his coaching portfolio by offering free coaching and training plans for Goodgymmers signed up for The Big Half 2025 (Sunday 7th September).
Open to 3 Goodgymmers only.
This opportunity includes:
A personalised 10 week training plan (starting from Monday 30th June)
Weekly calls or messages (dependent on time requirements of you, the athlete) to check on progress, and well-being
Open to runners of all abilities and looking objectives!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/free-training-plans-and-coaching-for-the-big-half
Mon 2nd Jun at 7:15pm
Helping at Rowstock Gardens to prepare for future planting projects
Read moreMon 9th Jun at 6:45pm
Helping the local gardening team with extra hands!
Read moreMon 19th May at 7:15pm
Helping Frannie from Elizabeth House with this lovely urban garden space
Read moreMon 12th May at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening (after an incredible thunderstorm, breaking some of the humidity lingering), Area Activator Simon met with Alice at the Arsenal Community Hub, ready for a social run towards the Islington / Harringey border. A nice 1.5 mile run up Sussex Way, and over to the idyllic Sunnyside Community Gardens near Elthorne Park. Upon our arrival, we met with the rest of our Goodgym Islington team (including first timer Georgina- welcome!) and main task volunteer Eslam who led us to the main compost cultivation site.
Our tasks for the evening were split between two main locations - Sunnyside Community Gardens and Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground.
Project 1 involved digging and shoveling some freshly processed compost from one bin, and moving to another location, mixing the material with additional matter as we go. Leaf mulch, old soil and donated cockles and muscles (!) were combined together for effective rotting before being expertly lifted into another bin, ready for more composting.
Project 2 required shovels, wheelbarrows and builder merchants bags. We took the opportunity to fill the sacks with woodchip and compost, before wheeling each sack up to Hornsey Rise Kickabout Gardens- an incredible community allotment and green space in progress. A minimum of 15 full sacks were moved and shifted between us over the course of the evening - well done everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN MAY
Community Mission- Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens 7.15pm, Highbury Quadrant Estate, Monday 19th May
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-highbury-quadrant-gardening
Group Run- Camden Estate Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 26th May
Community Mission- Camden Estate Gardens 7.15pm, Camden Estate Gardens, Rowstock Gardens Monday 2nd June
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-camden-estate-community-food-gardens
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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!
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 15th May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-47950339-2d63-4a65-8ca5-95eec0655f99
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 22nd May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-addfc9c2-e2a4-4d39-ac0d-e580031471d8
Green Park Thursday 29th May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-green-park-summer-session-0bb69e86-9c77-49b7-b0b6-1fedcb6cd097
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 5th June https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-a3ff6c7a-86fd-49cc-bf89-8bf08addadab
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Track and Towpath Social Running Sessions
Every Wednesday (fortnightly), 7.30am, Mile End Athletics Track
If you are looking for accessible training sessions that can be included in your schedule, then come and join Area Activator Simon for his fortnightly runs.
Track training is always more fun with others, and these are designed to be sociable and open to all!
Structured training sessions, followed by refreshments at The Yurt Café, Limehouse!
Wednesday 14th May
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-10
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 13th May, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House
On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.
Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
—---------------------------------------
Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
Wednesday 14th May
Wednesday 21st May
Next session:
—---------------
Market Road Gardens
Tuesday 13th May
Tuesday 20th May
Next Session:
—-----------------------------
Kit Swap and Runner's Jumble at The Horatia
Tuesday 13th May, 7.30-9pm, The Horatia Pub
Do you have sports kit that doesn't get used as much as it could?
Or would you prefer to keep your lovely nice running shoes ready for race day, and have a spare pair for Goodgym tasks?
Simon from Goodgym Islington will be hosting an evening for swapping or donating your used running kit for those who need it.
All items can be swapped with participants and sign ups, and anything left over can be taken home or offered to Preloved Sports, an organisation dedicated to keeping sports kit out of landfill.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/kit-swap-and-runner-s-jumble-at-the-horatia
—----------------------------
Hackney Half Aid Station and Marshal Volunteering
Sunday 18th May, 7am onwards, Marion Place, Pritchard's Road (TBC)
The team at Motiv Sport have asked if our Goodgym team would be interested assisting with the 2024 Hackney Half Marathon on one of the 6 water and aid stations.
All volunteers that help in 2025 are offered a free place in any of our running events in 2026 (Hackney Half, London 10K, Oxford Half).
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/hackney-half-aid-station-and-marshal-volunteering
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (May)
Saturday 17th May, 10am - midday, Canonbury Square Gardens
The Friends of Canonbury Square Gardens host an open community gardening session on the 3rd Saturday morning of every month.
Usual tasks would include bulb planting, trimming, laying compost, maintaining flower beds and litter picking.
—----------------------------
Mack on Track 02: marshals and pacers wanted!
Thursday 22nd May, 6.30pm, London Marathon Community Track, Stratford
Mack on Track is a super inclusive 5000m track running event, with a twist. The objective is to help as many runner as possible get (or come close to) their personal beats for 5km by providing trusted pacers to do so.
The team are looking for helps to assist with registration of participants, alerting runners about when each pace group starts and cheering on the athletes!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/mack-on-track-03-marshals-and-pacers-wanted
—---------------------------
Penn Road Gardens - April Volunteer Day
Sunday 27th May, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road. https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/wwf-x-goodgym-islington-penn-road-gardens-open-morning-may
—----------------------------
London 10km with Saucony- Water Station Volunteers!
Sunday 13th July, 7.30am onwards, Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH
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.
Food and water provided, and a free entry for any 2026 event on the Motiv Sports roster will be offered to all volunteers!
Sat 17th May at 11:00am
Mon 12th May at 6:45pm
Compost turning for this excellent green space near Elthorne Park!
Read moreMon 5th May at 7:15pm
Islington Report written by Islington runner
This compost heap continues to outmaneuver us! Thanks to 4 Goodgymmers and Eslam for some hard shovelling.
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