“A parsec is a distance!”
Of course it is. Hyperspace travel thru rock and gas fields requires greater energy and tight navigation but is faster than the safer, low-energy route through open space. A hyperspace route can indeed be expressed as a distance. In trading time and distance equal money. So the Kessel run in 12 parsecs is indicitive of some badass hyperspace skills.
ok
I heard that it wasn't like dustin' crops.
But I've never tried it, myself.