Hanley Building Society Potters Arf Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (268 votes). 2009 race reviewed by: Runninman
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Once again a fantastic race. See you next year!
In full: A truly special race and one that goes on my "to do" calender every year. Thi hills are something else. Especially 11-12! Had to run all the way up it as my battery packed up on my watch so didn't have no idea what time or medal i was heading for! A great incentive with the medal colours. Thats what makes this race so special. terrfic support all the way round. A big thankyou to everyone involved and to the wonderful people out on the course.
Date of review: June 16, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: alex_frost33
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: excellent support
Date of review: June 16, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Smartly
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Very tough but a great challenge & atmosphere!!!
In full: My first time here. The hills were very tough especially Milton Road. Great atmosphere & the crowds were fantastic. The queing at the end was a bit of a problem but didn't spoil the occasion. The incentive of a different medal depending on the finishing time is a great idea & spurred me on to finish in under 2hrs. Will definitely be back next year to try to run all the way!!!
Date of review: June 16, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Vinca
| | 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 short: I'm hurting all over - can't wait to try again next year!
Date of review: June 16, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Run Sazzle Run
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Unbeatable
In full: Have to say - it was an amazing race - only ever done flat half maras before - and this certainly was a challenge!! Loved the atmosphere- can't fault the crowds with the ice lollies, ice cubes, jelly babies, oranges and hose pipes - was much needed, think could have done with a portaloo around the halfway point (didn't fancy doing a Paula at the side of the road - so held it in!!)
Those hills were spectacular - they just kept going on and on and on! managed a few non-stop, but they 11mile one forced a walk out of me! I was at the back but still amongst the runners there was a great comeradorie!! everyone willing each other on - enjoyed the day thouroughly, even though I got sun stroke! Must say though, the queueing at the end was a bad idea - I saw 2 people near me be stretchered off through fainting! I'll definately be back next year to stop that hill at mile 11 getting the better of me!
Date of review: June 16, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Angela
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I just love this race!
In full: As said before, it was hot and the course is hilly but the Stokies make this race special. It is well organised-only very minor gripes were the slight chaos at finish for t-shirts etc and maybe a couple more water stations would be good but the latter maybe just something on a hot day and we were saved by the unoffical water stations set up by locals anyway. The finish on Potteries Way is so brilliant-the noise!! It's not a PB course, especially on a hot day but I'm not sure if I run it to get a PB! I don't know what it is I like about the race, it's an urban course and not especially picturesque and the hills do hurt but I just love it. I did it this year two weeks after Edinburgh, so I'll be be back next year with no mara in my legs and some hill training to get that bronze medal-they didn't have that incentive when I first ran it in 2005 and I think it's a nice touch. Well done to Don Shelley (thanks for the use of your mobile phone to find my family too!) and his team!
Date of review: June 16, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: CharlieR
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Well worth putting up with the hills and the heat for the novelty of being applauded by crowds.
Date of review: June 16, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Mozza_79
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Hardest race I've ever done but also my favourite. Support and atmosphere second to none.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Rogb
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well done Stoke!!
In full: For a city that has clearly seen hard times in recent years the people of the Potteries showed their pride and provided some outstanding support. I hope we provided a modicum of enjoyment for them with our hot heaving bodies passing through their neighbourhoods!! A hard run even on a cool day...perhaps more water stations...offset by the hosing down. Many thanks for a tiring but satisfying day.
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Roger Grand
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In full: HI HAD A FAB RUN (IN MY MIND I DID ANY HOW)WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR BUT NEED A FEW MORE HILLS IN MY TRAINING RUNS, TAGGED ON TO A FEW PEOPLE TO GET MYSELF TO THE END, GREAT TO SEE GOOD SUPPORT OUT. GOT A MEDAL BUT NEVER GOT A T-SHIRT SOMEHOW!!!!
Date of review: June 15, 2009
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