Very enjoyable event on a very challenging course. Shame about the start delay and maybe they could have gotten everyone lined up early rather than people spending half an hour hovering outside their pens. Such a good route that takes in a big part of the city. Heartbreak Hill is utterly brutal and its level of steepness cannot be put into words. Would definitely do the event again.

Always incredibly well supported with Stokie charm on an undulating course. This is not a PB course especially with heartbreak hill at the end, but still enjoyable. Well stocked goody bag at the end with time based medals (sub 1:30 gold, 1:45 silver, 2:00 bronze & neutral anything over). Medal has been made of pottery before - a unique charm, 2023 it wasn’t but still got a cute piece of pottery in a dish which was brill. Have done this event 3 times & have always been really impressed by the local support - plenty of people out with sweets, extra water, ice lollies & hose pipes especially during 2023 during a particularly hot day. Think on adverse weather like this an extra water station would have been wise. Not the prettiest of routes around the towns of Stoke though with a fair few potholes - not an organiser issue just something to note. Plenty of toilets in town centre to use & cheap parking in the Potteries Centre on Sunday.

Done a few half marathons and marathons and lived in the potteries all my life, but 1st time I've done this in June 2022 and also June 2023 upcoming. The only real issue I have with this is, 1. Lack of toilet facilities. At the beginning there were a few port a loos, bit not a single one along the route. Not a problem for guys, but not ideal for females unless your Paula Radcliffe. Also, there were 2 water station along the whole 12 miles. Luckily mcdonalds had put a table out with cold drinks. But for a pretty hill course with a final half mile up a 20% incline in 24 degree heat, 2 official water stations is not good enough. There was a big lack of marshals along the route and at times when running down the roads, the traffic was free flowing on the opposite sides, inches away from the runners. Unfortunately knowing stoke on trent council, the marathon organisers would of had an uphill struggle against them with this race. Overall, there are far better organised runs out there and far more scenic routes out there, however you can't escape the friendliness and support of potteries people, every few meteres it's " come on duck" lol. But it's cheap to enter and a pretty enjoyable day, give it a go.

Probably the most uninsired route of any race I've ever done. Just estate after estate. Lovely to see such support Dr locals though. 3 aid stations is not enough imo, especially when the sun is shining and staying hydrated is essential. Finished the race very dehydrated and I had brought an additional bottle with me. Nice looking medal.

This is my Local, it was my 1st HM and I use it as a training run to for marathon training. The local crowd come out for this one and really embrace the day. A couple of tough climbs the famous anchor road at approx 4.5 miles in then in the last 2km there is Heartbreak hill. The medal is always good, made using the local history! The potteries. This was my 2nd official race on this route and I will return in 2023 again.

Ahh the potters 'arf, this is my 2nd year of doing this race, I always say never again immediately afterwards but i just know I'll be there next year... why would I say never again? Well, it's not the easiest half going that's for sure, 3 notable hills, with the aptly named "heartbreak hill" at mile 11...HOWEVER this race is beloved by me and many others, why? Well, it's an interesting route with all those ups and downs and a fun challenge to get around but mostly because the locals are out in force, supporting, cheering, making you and everyone around you feel like stars.

It's well marshalled and has plenty of well marked Pacers, which is always a bonus, lots of water stations, and around the course you have an abundance of sweets, fruit, drinks, icepops etc from the locals too

To finish you get a massive cheer as you head into the centre of Hanley town centre, this year we had a tshirt (which I loved) a ceramic medal (which I didn't really love, bit coastery- but unique for a medal I guess) and a goodie bag (which was mostly leaflets in reality), ace running community feel too, oh and the ribbons on the medals were different depending on what time you got (sub 2, sub 1.45 etc)

See you next year potters 'arf!