Hanley Building Society Potters Arf Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (268 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: RICHARD EMARTON 2
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very good value for money.
In full: A somewhat demoralising course. Very well organised, marshalled, policed and first aid supported. Crowds along virtually all of the course. The occasional shower and jelly baby were much appreciated. Medal,Plate, T-Shirt and goody bag, coupled with free parking and an interesting magazine were far more than usual. This event deserves to do well!!
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: running queen
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Challenging race but very disappointing to have no medal at the end!!
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Cheryl Riley
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: THOMAS HALL 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A tough course, made bearable by a great atmosphere. Very good!
In full: In spite of living in the area for the first 18 years of my life, I never realised that Stoke was just quite so hilly! What I did realise was that the friendliness of the locals was second-to-none. Together, these two things summarise the Potters Arf.
A great city centre start quickly spread the elites from the good amateurs and the good amateurs from the fun runners, and allowed a good race rythym. From then on, it's pretty much up (and up!) and down the whole way. Even the flat between miles 8-11 didn't feel flat! The final hill at Holden Bridge is an absolute killer, but the support through the centre to the finish is incredible.
This is definitely a hard half-marathon, and PB potential limited. However, it is a great challenge and very rewarding to get round. The support ALL of the way is brilliant and really helps.
The only negative is that I think one more water station would help, but that's a real minor negative.
The prizes at the end are excellent (goody bag, plate, T-Shirt & medal) and I would definitely do it again. If you only do one half marathon next year, this should be it.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: B'ham Snail
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic race, cannot wait till next year
In full: The support from the people of Stoke on Trent all the round the course was unbelievable. I did the London Marathon this year and found that the support at this race was 100% better than FLM.
The marshals, PCSO’s and Police Officers were fantastic. One of the safest races I’ve ever took part in, thank you all.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Mark Gregory 10
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent race.
In full: Completed this for the second year running, and this is by far the hardest race in my calander. Don't expect a PB, just a very challegning, well organised and support run.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Lynsey Haines
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Challenging hilly race but brilliant atmospher
In full: The crowd and supporters totally made this race. There were so many supporters sitting in their gardens cheering you on, or watching from the pub. Along the route the I was given an ice popsicle, fruit, sweets and water all from locals! And as it was a hot day lots of people held out their hose pipes so we could run under the water and cool down. It is a challenging hilly race but that made it feel even more of an achievement at the end. Well organised too.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: frank walsh 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: good race
In full: fantastic support !all the way round.challenging course with steep hills up and down ,your hardly ever on the flat.organisation very good but the finish line collection of goody bags etc was a bit chaotic.well done stoke on trent
Date of review: June 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Andydriving
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: As usual - hard but good fun
In full: Silky smooth but more space needed at finish. Stood around a lot but friendliness made up for that
Date of review: June 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Marcus Reader
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: You know you have run a hard ARF!
In full: The finish was really well organised & the goody bag makes it feel quite special. The down side for me was seeing a fellow runner lying on the ground with a member of the public nursing him and No marshalls or Emergency services for at least 1/2 mile. And when i did inform them they just told me an ambulance is on the way. We all enjoy the challenge but if i have taken anything from my first year in running is everyone is looking out for each other. I would do it again i just hope someone reads this and takes it on board
Date of review: June 14, 2009
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