Are Park Runs Destructive ?

[OB1]

Did anyone do the Heaton Park Parkrun this morning?

I was just wondering if the new course is considered to be be faster or slower !!!

Hi Danbert. My time was spot on the 'norm' for 2011 (1 minute down on autumn 2010 Heaton PB). My thoughts and consensus from asking around afterwards was that the times / effort was similar. To be honest the route has not changed that much, just the order and direction in which its run. Difficult to explain on here without rambling on, but you will see when you next do it. It's been moved to start at the Hall (the old half way mark) as we have 'grown too big for the dog walkers and the cafe' (good ridance - at least we hae open toilets at 8:50 near the Hall!), but essentially it still includes the small lap, the bit round the lake and the two hills (down and up) just in a different order. Start of up hill is now at 3.5k mark rather than 2k mark Cheers. (end of semi-ramble)
PS. Oh, and I picked up my 50 Tee too and ran in it (didn't speed me up nor hinder either) - missed being awarded it by Ron Hill MBE last week, shame.
PPS. Parkrun (09-10) actually got my lard off and gave me renewed confidence to join a club, and a Fell Club at that (GDH)! Will be at F.Grouse Tomorrow. QED.

[OB1]

The only 'quirk' (mere observation) was that we had the Salford Harriers elite doing speed laps of the top circuit round the hall in the opposite direction as we were completing the last 1km of the Parkrun. As long as they dont mind 200 runners (oops joggers!) plodding towards them as they steam in the other direction I dont suppose it matters, but statistically there will probably be a collision if this becaomes the 'norm'. Hopefully a one-off / rarity. Parkrun is always between 9 and 9.45, maybe SH could do the laps outside of this window? Not sure if Parkrun Director has liasied with Salford Harriers coach on this one.
RoadRunner (you were there - we exchanged waves) or other SH elite - any feedback from SH point of view?