Hanley Building Society Potters Arf Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (268 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Phillip Mallon
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: First half marathon and enjoyed it very much...
In full: I normally run 10ks, occasionally a 10 mile race slips in somewhere, but this was my first half marathon. I enjoyed it very much. Although the scenery isn't great I found myself running down roads I had run down when I was at Staffs Uni a few years ago, so for me it was quite a sentimental run but if you are not familiar with Stoke it could be quite uninspiring.
However the organisation was really good and there were plenty of water stations and absolutely amazing support from the different suburbs we ran through. Kids handing out jelly babies, pensioners squirting runners with hose pipes - it really had a friendly feel to it.
The hill up Fenton after about 3 miles was an energy sapper and then that one at 11.5 miles near the pub on Berwick Road made me want to give up, but I didn't and it is pleasing to complete my first half marathon. I would definitely do this run again!
Date of review: June 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: PaulaR
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great challenge. Loved it.
In full: Having run my first marathon in Edinburgh just 2 weeks ago I was wondering why on earth I'd entered this! However it is my local race and the reviews last year were so good that I didn't want to miss out - and I'm glad I didn't. Yes I walked the 2 big hills but I did finish in 2.30 and was delighted. The spectators were fabulous. Thank you for the ice pops, drinks and the showers. The support was brill and the Potteries folk did us proud. Will definitely be back again.
Date of review: June 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: SteveV
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: R
Date of review: June 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Robert Mainwaring
| | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: They weren't kidding when they said one or two steep hills!
Date of review: June 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Kirsty Barry
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Its a good run to challenge your hill training
Date of review: June 14, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Warren Moores
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great Atmosphere and race made tough with wheather and hills
In full: Wow!! Another brilliant turn out for the Potters Arf. It gets better every year and I'm sure nobody would do as well without the great support. Hoses, ice pops, orange's, buckets of water, music and constant clapping. I couldn't ask for more.
Personally I'd like to say a few things!
1) Thanks for the person who owns the newsagents half way up the massive hill on mile 3 with the sign 8 carling for a fiver. Nice tease in the boiling hot weather running up a vertical hill!
2) Secondly, I's like to thank to two women dressed as tiger's raising money for charity. They made great scenery.
Overall though great race to do. The last hill on 12 miles was an unexpected killer.
There was also freebies on lucozade bars and gels and at the end a medal, t-shirt and commemarative place. BONUS!!!
10/10
Date of review: June 14, 2009
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2008 race reviewed by: Eleanor Hurst
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Tough hills but fantastic croud support
Date of review: June 13, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Andrew Beardmore
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very tough, but good prizes!
Date of review: June 12, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: Ben Roper
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: What can I say but FANTASTIC!
In full: Once again despite the sweltering conditions this was an absolutely fantastic race, the problems of last years t-shirts have been sorted and this is now on it's way to being one of the best in the country.
And despite the hot weather and the killer hill at the 12 mile point I somehow managed to squeeze out a PB… :o)
Roll on next year…
Date of review: June 11, 2008
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2008 race reviewed by: MKPete
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Hilly and Hot but great fun!!
Date of review: June 11, 2008
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