Hanley Building Society Potters Arf Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (268 votes). | The big picture (268 votes) | | Overall score | | 87% | | How many would do it again? | | 93% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 53% | | PB potential | | 43% | | Atmosphere | | 86% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 84% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 68% |
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2012 race reviewed by: Damian Batey
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: My First Half Marathon and loved every minute, very challenging with being a hilly course.
Date of review: April 7, 2013
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2012 race reviewed by: Aaron Buchan
| | 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: hard but well worth the journey
Date of review: June 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lucy Goose
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tricky course but great atmosphere!
In full: I was really nervous about running this having read all the reviews about the hills. That hill at 11.5 was a killer but the brilliant support from the people of Stoke made it all worthwhile! And I somehow came away with a new PB! One of the best half marathons I've done and I'll definitely be back next year!
Date of review: June 15, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Duane Daugherty 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A challenging course around Stoke. Excellent organisation and marshalls. The crowd support is brilliant. One of my favorite races.
Date of review: June 12, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: buttscratcher
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: well supported
In full: well done folks of hanley you did you area proud magnificent support throughout great event i'll be back next time i'm after the silver medal
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Andrew Cadman
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: Hard, Hilly and Amazing
In full: This was my first potteries Arf marathon, I've ran the full marathon 4 times in the past so I knew the course was going to be tough. I was hoping for a sub 2 hour run ( I've ran Lichfield and Stafford halfs in 1:55 this year),this was not to be my finishing time of 02:11 was a disappointment. My disappointment was soon put to one side when I thought back to the race and the amazing crowd, it feels as though the whole city comes out to support the race. I was clapped and cheered the whole route, the homemade drink/sweet stations were a life saver and the 70's disco garden party at 10 miles made me smile. The course is full of tough hills and very, very tough on the legs. I will be back for more next year hoping finishing in under 2 hours.
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Lee Ogden
| | 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: Very friendly hilly half.
In full: My first time running the Potters Arf although I knew the course was going to be touhg having family in Stoke.
Organisation was spot on, crowd suppord was great...the jelly babies, extra water and hose pipe cool downs were really appreciated on a hot day.
I had a tough day with illness but it was still a great race and one I look forward to next year.
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: THOMAS HALL 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: The highlight of my running year...again!
In full: At first glance, the rough urban landscape of inner Stoke-on-Trent coupled with torturous uphill climbs scattered throughout the race, one could be forgiven for thinking this is a race you should give a miss to. However, to do so would mean you missing out on an absolute highlight of a runner's year.
The slick organisation, the excellent marshalling and above all the AMAZING support throughout the race make this a real "must do" event. By the time you have scaled Milton Road (at 11.5 miles) you will feel like a proper runner, however fast or slow you have got to that point. And the finish down past Sir Stan and into the Potteries cannot be beaten (even by London's famous sprint down the Mall).
I may have run more picturesque courses, and I may have finally broken the 3-hour marathon time this year, but yet again running the Potters 'Arf is my favourite run of the year.
Roll on 2013...
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Daniel Furze 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 40% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 20% |
Date of review: June 11, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Ian Allen 2
| | 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: great race a few hills to test you,well worth the effort
In full: A great race normally run in the sunshine,but this year was run in the rain and wind but did not deter from being a good run...
Date of review: August 8, 2011
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