Heaton Park Parkrun

Course number 88 for Tom Whitfield and still counting. A PB course when the wind behaves; a fight when it doesn’t.

1. 1

   Start on the grass by the boathouse, facing the main drive. 500-plus runners set off here at 09:00 sharp on Saturdays.

   ≈ 0.7 km
2. 2

   First 800 m is downhill on tarmac. Everyone goes out too fast. You will too.

   ≈ 1.4 km
3. 3

   Left onto the lakeside path at 1 km — packed gravel, slightly rutted after rain.

   ≈ 2.1 km
4. 4

   The drag starts at 1.6 km: 400 m at 3%. It is the only hill on the course and it comes twice.

   ≈ 2.9 km
5. 5

   Over the top and back onto the main drive for the fast return leg — 900 m of gentle downhill.

   ≈ 3.6 km
6. 6

   Cross the start area at 2.5 km to begin lap two. Identical to lap one, except everything hurts more.

   ≈ 4.3 km
7. 7

   Final 200 m is on grass and turns uphill. Judge your sprint accordingly, or don’t — nobody ever does.

   ≈ 5.0 km