Getting fit as you help community
Selfless runners in Bath who are getting fit while lending a hand to vulnerable people and community groups are celebrating their third anniversary this month. The Goodgym Run scheme in Bath is a running group which combines weekly runs with doing good deeds around the area. Since it was set up in Bath dozens of runners have carried out more than 2,580 good deeds in the area. Emily Jones, who joined the group on its first outing in October 2015, said she loves the difference the runners make to the community and vulnerable people in the area. The civil engineer joined Goodgym Run as a student after seeing the group advertised on TV and wanted to learn more. She said: “I was a typical student and in my student bubble not really doing much apart from my studies and not involved in the community. “I wanted to get fit and this seemed like the perfect way to not only increase my fitness but also to be part of the local community. I dragged a few friends along and we had a great time. “It’s really satisfying to know you’ve spent your evening doing something useful for someone. It’s very sociable and being outside in the fresh air doing some exercise is great for mental health. “The people we help are always incredibly appreciative and 10 runners can do so much in half an hour. “Sometimes, we can complete tasks that would take much longer without our burst of energy.” Goodgym Run runners meet every week at Bath Leisure Centre and run to a pre-planned location where they work hard either digging, lifting, scraping or clearing for a good cause. Recently the group ran to Donkey Lane to help out at Transition Bath Community Garden for an hour before running back. While there the team cleared overgrown areas, did weeding, cleared some paths through the garden and did some pruning. The 25-year-old said as well as enjoying helping the community she likes doing ‘coach’ runs where a DBS checked runner jogs to a vulnerable elderly person’s home, spending an hour having a cup of tea and a chat or helping around the house before running back. She said: “Every run is rewarding but I particularly really enjoy the coach runs. I used to visit a 91-yearold lady who lived alone and I really looked forward to my hour with her. It made her day and mine too.” The group, which meets every Tuesday at 6.15pm at Bath Leisure Centre, runs no more than 5km in total so it is suitable for runners of any ability. For more information or to join visit www.goodgym.org