GoodGymers arrived from all parts of Bethnal Green and Mile End. And not just from there. Nia came all the way from India, partly to do the task, but also because she was greatly missing our lovely January weather. Mile-End-Emma arrived from Australia, quite recently, and new-boy Gabe (welcome Gabe) claims to live outside Tower Hamlets altogether, over there in The City. Even though nobody lives in The City. And we all arrived bang on time - except for the usual tardy suspects, of course...

Nia, Lobo, Gabe and Bethnal-Green-Emma, were using their artistic talent to paint chairs (Bethnal) green, as well as varnishing a table and chair. Lucinda and Mile-End-Emma were filling gaps in a brick wall, doing a great job (according to Mile-End-Emma). Several miles away, at the other end of the estate, Ilana, Ciarán and Bethnal-Green-Emma were restoring a graffiti-covered wall. Closer to home, Rohan and I practised for our future potential careers as dentists pulling teeth, as we yanked nails from planks of wood, using the back ends of hammers

All this vigorous work was our best bulwark against the cold. But January isn’t over yet - there’s still a special Tuesday task at Ocean Youth tonight, then Saturday lunchtime at Rocky Park, and the usual Felix Project tasks the same day. Be there or be somewhere else!

It was a gloriously muddy morning at London Fields junior parkrun, with 28 young runners lining up despite wet and muddy conditions. We welcomed two first timers to the course — one of whom took part in an incredibly close photo finish for first and second place, edging it on her debut!

GoodGym was out in force, with Lobo, Anna, Sarah and Rue supporting the event, and Nick expertly taking on the role of Race Director. Huge thanks to the whole team for keeping things running smoothly in tricky conditions.

The mud didn’t slow anyone down, with some super-strong finishes, impressive determination, and even a few joyful slides over the finish line. Some may have slipped on the course too, but as Nick said it was all character building! (and definitely not an incident)

As always a brilliant display of effort, encouragement and community spirit from start to finish. All the mud, all the smiles, all the reasons we love junior parkrun — we’ll be back for more next week.