THE organisers of Harlow parkrun have decided to “rest” their original course.

From November 2014 until 2019, the course included what has become known at the Pitch and Putt Hill.

Whilst not Kilimanjaro, running up it was not pleasant.

In 2019, the organisers decided to give the grass a break and so devised a “winter course” that was all on path.

Last week, the organisers announced that they, in consultation with Harlow Council, had decide to “retire” the winter course for the time being.

YH understands there was discussion between Harlow parkrun and Harlow Council about the part of the route that went across the bottom of the old pitch and putt course.

The decision seems to have been universally welcomed by the regular runners, joggers and walkers who take part every Saturday at 9am in Harlow Town Park.

There has been the odd dissenting voice who felt the hill gave the course its challenge. Without it is “a fairly boring traipse around a path. It has lots its uniqueness.”

Last year, a planning application was submitted to re-use the pitch and putt course as a foot golf course.

The original parkrun course ran straight through this course but the organisers of Harlow parkrun have reassured YH that this did not have any bearing on their decision.