Harry's Spring Run Off 8km Toronto

[Runningfool]

Hi , i'm just wondering for those of you that have ran this event before , is it a good course ? i'm looking to run a fast 8km this spring ! and how hard was it to find a parking spot ?

thx ...

[Destroyer]

I wouldn't say that this is a fast course. It's actually kinda hilly and pretty tough. But it is fun and well organized. Give it a go. Get there a little earlier and parking shouldn't be an issue. good luck with the training, maybe throw in a hill rep or two at the end of your runs to get ready for that bastard of a hill at the end of the race.

[pq]

f you're looking to run a FAST 8k, this isn't the race for you. It's hilly, with a good chance of shitty weather.

If you're looking to get in a good race with solid competition, this is a good choice. Well organized, strong field, enjoyable (but not fast) course around hilly High Park.

I believe it's been said that you can expect to run this race at something like half marathon pace in a typical year, maybe a little faster in good conditions.

I've raced it twice and both years found street parking a couple of blocks outside the park to the north. Mind you I like to arrive early, like maybe 1.5 hours before the gun, for an out of town race when I'm not sure how long it'll take to get everything sorted out. Arrive closer to race time, maybe it's harder to find a spot.

[emantsal]

I'd say it's about a minute slow compared to a flat 8k, around half marathon pace is a good comparison. My best there is 30:16 (3:47/km) and my best half is 1:21 (around 3:52/km?). I'd second the thought that it's a great race, but not a fast one. I always make sure to run it if I'm in town.

If you're coming in from out of town, you can park at Islington or Kipling stations, where you'll be guaranteed free parking. You can ride the subway for about 6-8 minutes to get to High Park from there.

[victory]

Whats the 5k like?

[scheibo]

Feb 6, 2010 18:56:19 GMT -5 victory said:

Whats the 5k like?

still slow. its missing one of the downhills and the uphill, but its not a course for PR seekers. last few years i think its been won somewhere between 16:15 and 16:45. last year the wind was quite noticeable over the last 2km, and I was told be the time the leader made it to the spring road hill his brash early pace coupled with his lack of fitness and his solo effort into the wind had sapped all his will to finish.

tl;dr it was a fun 5km, but in no way is the competition the same as the 8km. theres plenty more 5k's out there that are probably more worth your time

[cda]

Feb 7, 2010 19:44:58 GMT -5 scheibo said:

still slow.

Weird, that's what I heard about the winner too.

[pg]

The race used to be 2 to 3 weeks later with much nicer weather. Does anyone know why the date changed?

[lynnhoj]

My guess is:
- Harry's Spring Run Off (HSRO) is part of the Canada Running Series (CRS)
- HSRO is April 3 of 2010 (1st weekend of April)
- there's the Scotia Bank Half/5K in Montreal on April 18 2010 (3rd wknd April), also part of the CRS
- there's the Sporting Life 10K on May 2 2010 (1st wknd May), also part of the CRS

I guess one could move the HSRO one week later, just from looking at this list of races, but there may be other considerations (availability of High Park,etc.)

I doubt they would consider scheduling races one week before/after another series race.

[mandingo]

The course record is pretty strong; about 22:20 I think. World record holder in 3000m Daniel Komen won in 1994 the week after he came second at world Junior cross. The second place in the senior race Simon Chemwumba (surely spelled wrong) was second and the World junior champ Philip Mosima was third. Tough year! The course is tough and you really got to use those downhills. Other noteable over the years include Eamonn Martin, Sothnes Bitok, Jill Hunter and Sammy Kipkiter.