Our events give world a run for its money

ATHLETICS have always played a major role in Manchester’s sporting memories – from the cinder track of the White City stadium in the 1950s to the triumphant Commonwealth Games.

The Games opened 15 years ago this week on July 25, 2002.

Manchester has a proud tradition of welcoming athletes from around the world, as well as producing its own stars of track and field too.

Setting records throughout the 1960s and 1970s was Accrington’s own distance runner Ron Hill.

Our picture shows him heading off for the Tokyo Olympics to the cheers and applause of his colleagues at Courtaulds in Droylsden.

Hill finished 18th in the 10,000 metres at Tokyo and 19th in the marathon.

In 1963 he equalled the UK sixmile record and the following year set his first world record when he knocked more than one minute off the legendary Emil Zatopek’s time for 25 kilometres.

Hill clocked one hour, 15 minutes, and 22 seconds for the distance.

He also achieved the distinction of winning the 3-AAAs 10-mile race every year from 1965-69, setting a new world record in 1968 of 46.44 minutes.

After finishing seventh in the 10,000 metres at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, Hill became the first British runner to win the Boston Marathon in 1970, beating the course record by three minutes with a time of 2:10:30.

Our second picture shows Hill taking a well-earned drink at Old Trafford after testing the Maxol Marathon course around Manchester in June 1969.

Middle distance runner John Davies gave his training a new edge by pitting himself against Manchester City’s finest, including Mike Summerbee, in July 1968.

Davies, left, won a bronze medal in the 1500 metres at the Tokyo Olympics.

City were getting back down to business for the new season after winning the 1967-8 First Division title by finishing two points clear of Manchester United.

Also pictured competing at the Northern Counties Athletic Association Championships at the White City track in June 1958 is shot putt winner Arthur Rowe.

The facilities are certainly a far cry from the City of Manchester stadium built especially for the Commonwealth Games more than 40 years later.

It was a moving moment in Manchester when the Queen declared the games open 15 years ago this week on July 25, 2002.

Her arrival was greeted with a flypast from the Red Arrows and Salford-born opera singer Russell Watson belted out the Games’ theme song Faith of the Heart.

England football captain David Beckham helped terminally ill sixyear-old Kirsty Howard hand over the Queen’s Baton before the traditional athletes’ parade was led in the by the previous hosts Malaysia.

More than 4,000 people took part in the £12m opening spectacular, which captivated audiences around the world.

The inspirational Kirsty Howard, who was born with a rare heart defect, went on to raise more than £7.5 million for the Francis House hospice in Didsbury. She died in October 2015, aged 20. There were some exceptional performances at the Games, not least from distance runner Paula Radcliffe who won her first major gold medal in the 5,000 metres in a record time of 14:31:42.

She finished more than 20 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Edith Masai.

Jonathan Edwards simultaneously held the World, Olympic, European and Commonwealth championships – as well as the world record – when he triumphed in the triple jump.

Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe broke the world record in the 400metre freestyle and England’s Zoe Baker set the world’s fastest time in the 50-metre breaststroke.

English athlete Steve Backley, pictured, won the gold medal in the men’s javelin.

A sell-out crowd of 38,000 viewed the closing ceremony after 11 days of spirited competition.

Of course, being Manchester, the heavens opened.

Around 40,000 balloons were released into the gloomy skies which were then lit up by a thunderous and spectacular firework display.

Try as it might, no rain could dampen the spirit of these games.

Memorable pictures like these – and many more like them from the M.E.N. archives – feature in Clive Hardy’s latest book Around Manchester in the 1960s.

The book is available at £19.99 with free postage for M.E.N. readers.

Order your copy now by visiting the iNostalgia website, inostalgia. co.uk, or by filling in the coupon in this supplement.

Or you can ring our hotline on 01928 503777 to place your order.

In the meantime, Clive Hardy’s previous book, the muchacclaimed Around Manchester in the 1950s, is on sale now at all good bookshops.

The book covers every aspect of local life in more than 200 images from the archives of the M.E.N.

Around Manchester in the 1950s and Around Manchester in the 1960s, published by Manchester-based business iNostalgia, retail at £19.99 each with free postage for M.E.N. readers. Just go to inostalgia.co.uk to place your order or fill in the coupon in the M.E.N.