We at Goodgym Islington were thrilled to be invited back to help at Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PBs, a completely unique free premier grassroots athletics event at Parliament Hill Track. A selection of the UK and Europe's fastest club runners, U20 athletes and sub-elite competitors race the gruelling 25 lap challenge across the whole day, and into the night. Races 16 and 17 offer the chance for top runners to meet the qualifying standards for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Our crew met throughout the day, and were tasked with being Trackside Marshals, responsible for keeping an eye on potential hazards during the races, and to explain the event to anyone joining as a spectator (which is highly encouraged!). We can also lay claim to being the loudest support team on the day, giving the biggest cheers to the amazing performances on show!

We also had the chance to make the most of our down time by enjoying some delicious special edition beer from Sambrooks Brewery, and excellent food in the "in-field"- a full VIP and activity area located in the centre of the track.

Thank you so much for showing your support for grassroots athletics. And definitely consider coming to join us next year for more running inspiration!

If you would like to catch up with this awesome event, full coverage from can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/MTuhU73buKQ?si=yl6fUzOY-JujfO29

Areas Activator Simon, Anne, Dan and Patrick met with lead gardening volunteer Mariana at The ARC centre on a gloriously sunny Friday evening. Together, we were tasked with a 1 hour time limit to help with moving a newly donated sack of fresh soil, over to Riverside Gardens on Regent's Canal, with the use of shovels, wheelbarrows (of varying quality!) and buckets. Each trip was approximately 400m from point to point, so we were putting in some solid wheelbarrow mileage between us!

Riverside Gardens is a lovely protected wildflower garden just off the Packington Estate. Full of flora and fauna, and cultivated to remain semi-wild. We successfully deposited almost 2/3rds of the full bag of soil between us- great progress for a big task!

We will return next week to complete the job!

Sign up here to get involved:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/the-arc-centre-riverside-gardens-part-2

Do we really know what we're doing?

Someone asked.

Know where we can find a book on painting?

Was how our happy group of 8 started at Belsize Community Library on Wednesday evening.

We'd already braved and toppled a sun drenched Haverstock Hill, and we busily combined our rehydrating efforts with pouring paint into trays.

The office and corridor walls had previously been painted by a local group of children. Who'd done a brilliant job, but just on parts of the wall. We were there to fill the gaps and apply a new coat.

Which we got to speedily and whilst catching up with one another.

It's a joy to be in special community spaces, in spring long evenings, and whilst the usual hubbub has passed. We enjoyed the space and we made a difference across a fast 45 minutes.

Thank you, all, for your work, time, and joy - it was lovely to see you!