GoodGym Richmond marks ten years of running to do good
23 July 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
It started on a warm July evening in 2016, when more than 40 runners set off from Whole Foods and headed out to tackle Himalayan balsam. A decade on, GoodGym Richmond has celebrated its tenth anniversary with volunteers, partners and friends gathering to mark what the group has quietly built in the borough.
The numbers are striking: 623 people have taken part over the years, completing 7,911 community tasks for charities, schools, care homes, green spaces and neighbourhood organisations. Members who track their runs have collectively covered more than 82,000 kilometres — roughly twice around the globe.
The model remains simple: combine a run or walk with a practical act of community service. In practice, it has become something more for many participants — a way to meet people, settle into a new neighbourhood, or find a sense of purpose alongside the fitness benefits. Richmond Council's early funding helped get the group off the ground, and the partnership with local organisations has sustained it ever since.
For anyone interested in joining, GoodGym Richmond welcomes runners and walkers of all paces and backgrounds. Tasks range from gardening and painting to moving furniture for community groups.
More on the anniversary and how to get involved is at the council's GoodGym page.