Man running in memory of dad who died after race

Matthew Knight, a participant in this year's Potters Arf half marathon race, is running in memory of his father, Tony Knight, who passed away after completing the same race last year. Matthew expressed his excitement about the event and his father's appreciation for his participation. Tony, affectionately known as "Tony the Tiger," became a beloved figure in the running community of north Staffordshire.

Matthew and his family plan to wear tiger print t-shirts with images of Tony on their backs during the race. Despite his father's passing, Matthew believes his father would have appreciated the tribute. This year's race marks the 21st anniversary of the county's largest running event, with over 2,500 participants, including Matthew's sisters and some of Tony's grandchildren.

The route spans from Hanley to Longton, through Abbey Hulton, and back, including the challenging Heartbreak Hill. Race director Graham Smith highlighted the difficulty of the race, emphasizing its status as one of the toughest half marathons in the UK.