runs, helps, leaves

Last night, in front of cameras filming for Japanese news, 20 runners ran through Tower Hamlets on another helpful mission.  Lead by the long time Good Gym runner Harriet (coached by Michael) and back marked by similarly committed and enthusiastic Nick (coached by Milly), the group set off North up Cambridge Heath Road to get onto the canal.  The TV crew quickly changed venues and was ready to watch as the runners arrived en masse into Victoria Park.Marcelo, the park ranger in charge of the evening's task, demonstrated some raking technique, handed out leaf grabbers and bags, and then showed the runners the enormous patch of leaves they would try to clear.Teams formed quickly. Each team included some people raking and some people grabbing the leaf piles and putting them in the ton sacks. The runners worked hard, filled the ton sacks fast, and carried on using binbags instead. The bags were put neatly into 3 piles (all just visible in this photo) for the rangers to pick up in their van, and the runners were on their way again.  Nick lead a more direct route back to York Hall, and Harriet took a group south through Mile End park for some hill sprints, before return along the canal to complete their 6k run. We'll let you know when Nippon TV airs the piece on this group run.