Peacehaven delivered its usual charm for the Mince Pie 10: relentless wind, rain so fine it hung in the air like mist, and a field full of runners in Christmas costumes who somehow remained cheerful despite looking like festive sponges.

I wasn’t running this time. Instead, I was helping on The Green Runners’ swap-shop stall — a jumble of pre-loved running shoes and kit designed to give good gear a second or even third life. PairUps were also there, showing people how to repair their favourite trainers.

In between gusts of sideways rain, I had a fascinating chat with Darren, one of the founders of The Green Runners. He explained something that feels obvious once you hear it: most of us spend ages finding the right running shoe, wearing it in until it matches our foot and running style perfectly — so why get rid of it after 300 miles just because the industry tells us to?

According to Darren, that mileage limit is more marketing than science. The cushioning usually lasts much longer; it’s the seams, uppers or edges that go first. A tiny, cheap repair kit can keep a favourite shoe going far beyond its “expiry date”, saving money and reducing waste at the same time.

A few very grateful runners came over after the race, soaked and muddy, and left with better-suited shoes from the stall. It was a reminder that community, circular thinking, and simple actions can make a big difference.

Two GoodGym runners popped over to say hello before braving the trails, but apart from them, most visitors were enthusiastic Christmas-clad racers curious about how to run more sustainably.

If you’re wondering what else you can do as a runner, The Green Runners have four simple pillars: 1. How You Move – choosing active and lower-impact ways to get around. 2. How You Kit-Up – buying less, repairing more, swapping, borrowing, and thinking second-hand first. 3. How You Eat – making food choices that support both performance and the planet. 4. How You Speak Out – using your voice to encourage greener habits in your community.

Their story and resources are well worth a look: https://thegreenrunners.com/our-story/

A morning of atrocious weather, Mince Pie madness, and conversations about making running more sustainable — not a bad way to spend a Sunday. If nothing else, it proves that with a bit of thought, we can all extend the life of the things we use and reduce the pressure to constantly buy new.

Today I had the pleasure of joining George for his 100th good deed a brilliant milestone and a testament to what GoodGym Barnet is all about.

We met on the walk over (he’d come by bus as usual!) and headed together to help a Barnet resident whose garden had become completely overtaken by brambles. (She risks compromising her tenancy agreement if it’s not kept tidy) Armed with her tools, we got stuck in: clipping, clearing, chatting, and enjoying that simple but powerful feeling of doing something useful for someone else.

What always strikes me about Community Missions is how little the “who” or “why” matters. It’s the giving that counts the small act, the short visit, the bit of sweat and fresh air that somehow leaves you walking away lighter than when you arrived. They’re usually local, quick, and strangely satisfying in a way that’s hard to explain until you try it.

If you’ve ever thought about joining a Community Mission, give it a go. You’ll need a DBS (details on the GoodGym website), but after that it’s easy and you might be surprised by how rewarding these moments are.

Ask George who really enjoyed his hundredth good deed!