Sophie wins Potters 'Arf'

Sunday 8 June.

We're deep into the track season but there's still action on the roads.

Racing in the Potters 'Arf' Half Marathon at Hanley, Sophie Carter ran 1:25:03 (1:24:58 chip) to win the event at her first try, entering on the advice of her husband. It was her first long-distance run since suffering a stress fracture in her foot earlier this year when getting back into the swing after having a baby nine months ago.

"It's a good course but incredibly tough," said Sophie after the race.

"It's not an easy one at all and Heartbreak Hill was one of the toughest stretches I've come across.

"I've only done a four-miler since I was injured, so I didn't know what to expect. My husband didn't warn me about the hills, but did say the crowds would be out, the atmosphere would be great and everyone would be really friendly."