FAQs

This year it's optional to have your race bib mailed out, or you can choose to collect it on race weekend.

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If you choose to collect, it will be available from the Potteries Shopping Centre on the Saturday, or on race day morning at the race information tent from 07:30am

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​If you've chosen to have it mailed out, these will be sent out up to 2 weeks prior to race day.  If you do change address, or move house please remember to let us know, or update it on your race dashboard (in your confirmation email)

Walkers: 8.30am

Walking Relay: 8:30am 
Half Marathon and Relays: 9.30am

Fun Run: 9:45am

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Please note that all timings are subject to change on the day.

Because of the necessity to reopen roads, there is a time limit of three hours, after which time, if the event sweep vehicle passes any participants, they will be required to complete the event using pavements.

Every finisher of the Potters Arf Marathon will receive a well-deserved Potters 'arf medal.

Bag storage will be located in the indoor market underneath The Potteries Centre. Open from 8am.

There are no official changing facilities available on-site

Portable toilets will be located in the town centre, along with Urinals for men and Disabled facilities. There are additional toilets located on the course

Please be at the start 30 minutes before your start time and don’t forget to wear your race number which contains your timing chip. 

The course follows a well-marshalled route, starting and finishing in the city centre.

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The half marathon is restricted to entrants aged 17 years or over on the day of the event.

Your race number must be worn on the front of your vest or T-shirt. The first stage and last stage runners must wear the race number containing the timing chip. 

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Teams must make their own way to and from the change over points.  It is your teams responsibility to ensure each leg runner is at the correct changeover point in good time.

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Team members must ‘touch hands’ at each change over.

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If you do not have four runners you can still compete, but must have a minimum of 2 runners.

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Relay changeover points are detailed below but will also be in the Event guide.All the change overs will be sign posted with teardrop flags.

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The change over locations for the relay are:

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1) Start to Outside Malvern Tyres, Anchor Road. A nice steady course with gradual uphill on Victoria Road  (Approx 5km)

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2) Leg 1 End to Hanley Town FC (Abbey Lane).  This is a tough climb up Anchor Road (Approx 6km).

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3) Leg 2 End to The Berwick inn (Jnct Berwick Road / Milton Lane).  This is the longest stage but is mainly flat with a steady climb on Leek New Road (Approx 6km).

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4) Leg 3 End to Finish.  This is the shortest stage but realistically the most testing with a very steep climb of about half a mile up Milton Road (Approx 4km).​​​​

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The relay is restricted to people aged 17 and over (on race day).

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The walk starts and finishes in the city centre and follows a well-marshalled route.  Make sure you know the route and take a drink with you. You must not walk on the road until the leading runners pass you. The half marathon walk is restricted to people aged 17 and over.

Markers will be erected at every mile.

Yes, the course is officially measured by UK Athletics 

This will take place after the race at about 12pm.

Our training partner MARA Run Club have created training plans for the Potters 'arf Marathon. These are aimed at all levels with a 12-week programme to work from.

For more information, access the training programmes here

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From the South: Leave the M6 at Junction 15 on to the A500. Follow signs for City Centre (Hanley), then follow signs for The Potteries Centre.

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From the North: Leave the M6 at Junction 16 on to the A500. Follow signs for City Centre (Hanley), then follow signs for The Potteries Centre.

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From the East: On the A50 follow signs for the A500. Follow signs for City Centre (Hanley), then follow signs for The Potteries Centre.

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From the West: Follow signs for the A500. Follow signs for City Centre (Hanley), then follow signs for The Potteries Centre.

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Multi Storey car park: Entrances to the car park can be found on Bryan Street and Quadrant Road.

Long stay car park: Entrance to the long stay car park can be found on Bryan Street.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Stoke-on-Trent. There are regular train services from Crewe, Derby, Macclesfield, Stafford and Wolverhampton. From there you can catch one of the many frequent buses from the bus stop outside the station that heads to the city centre in less than 10 minutes.

You can defer your place by going to your registration dashboard and following the simple steps on there.  This will guarantee your place for next years' edition.  Your entry can be deferred up to 3 weeks prior to the race date.  After this time due to the preparation required for the event no further deferrals will be possible

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You can transfer your place to a friend by going to your registration dashboard (within your registration email) and entering your friends' email address.  This is possible up to the 1st September and has a transfer fee of £5.

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It is permissible to transfer from running the half marathon to the walking wave. This must be completed on your registration dashboard by September 1st.

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For safety reasons, on no account can a race number be given to someone else once you have received it. If a runner is found to be wearing the race number of someone else, they will be immediately disqualified. This is in line with UK Athletics guidance.

Entries are scheduled to close three weeks before event day on Monday 14th September, or earlier should the entry limit by reached.

Yes, you can! There are a host of local and national charities who would love them to run for you. Just drop them a line and they’ll get in touch direct.

Sorry, no. We cannot accept entries on race day.

Unfortunately, the route is unsuitable for self-propelled wheelchairs, buggies, or pushchairs.

We are unable to accept refunds unless it is for medical reasons supported with documentation with a cut-off date of 1st September.

A replacement number can be issued from event information on the weekend, with proof of purchase, at a cost of £5  

You are welcome to take part in fancy dress, whether you’re a Staffordshire Oatcake or Wonder Woman!

Only bone conducting headphones are acceptable for safety reasons under UKA rules.  

Yes, we will have a team from PB pacers present to help guide you to your target time.

Yes, and further information will be supplied in the pre event guide

Yes, there will be prizes for the top three men and women in the half marathon.

There are no prizes for the half marathon walk as this event is non-competitive.