In my opinion, this would be a pretty tough workout, especially if the coaches want it to be a conditioning workout. I've run track as a distance runner in high school and college, and I coach XC/track now. This would be a tough workout for anyone, especially considering the rest is only :30 seconds. It would be tough on distance runners because they don't normally have the fast-twitch muscles that sprinters do. It's tough on the sprinters because of how many they would have to do. It's tough on the big guys because they have to carry that extra weight.
The workout would start as an anaerobic workout, forcing the body into oxygen debt. But, due to the number of intervals, it turns into an aerobic workout in the end. So it's a conditioning workout that is working two different body energy systems. Great, great workout. My distance runners would accomplish the same kind of workout doing 200-400 meter hill repeats, or doing ladders at race pace with only a 1:1 or 1:.5 rest.