Super sport Sunday sees thousands turn out in force for Great Manchester Run and Great CityGames
Manchester turned out in force for a super Sunday of sport, as athletes of all abilities took part in the Great Manchester Run and the Great CityGames yesterday.
A record 40,000 pounded the streets of the city for the tenth staging of the Great Manchester Run 10k, which saw Haile Gebrselassie pick up his fifth Elite Men’s title, and his fourth in a row.
Former World 10,000 metres gold medallist Linet Masai of Kenya eased to victory in the Elite Women’s race.
The Great CityGames lived up to its growing reputation with another fantastic event, however the day was shrouded in controversy as Jessica Ennis was dramatically denied a personal best in the 100m hurdles.
The Team GB heptathlete stormed to an impressive 12.75 seconds but this was voided when officials found there were just 9 of the necessary 10 hurdles set out on the track.
Dwain Chambers received a warm welcome from the Manchester crowd in his first outdoor appearance since learning of his eligibility for the Olympics following a drug ban.
Elsewhere, it was a mixed day for Team GB hopefuls as Andy Turner and Christian Malcolm won their 200m hurdles and 100m sprint respectively.
Turner was able to overcome the disappointment of fourth place in the earlier 110m, while Holly Bleasdale came second to German Lisa Rysich in the televised pole vault event.
Famous names including double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell, Coronation Street’s Antony Cotton and Joy Division bassist Peter Hook took part in the Great Manchester Run to raise money for charities including The Christie and Diabetes UK.
An estimated £22million has been raised for various charities since the first staging of the Great Manchester Run in 2003.
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A record 40,000 pounded the streets of the city
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