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EVENT WHICH HAS ATTRACTED BIGGEST NAMES IN ATHLETICS AXED AFTER 10 YEARS

MANCHESTER’S Great Games have been axed.

The street athletics event, which has seen the likes of Usain Bolt and Jessica Ennis-Hill compete on temporary tracks through the city centre, will not be taking place this year, organisers have confirmed.

It brings down the curtain on 10 years of the event, which saw thousands of spectators lining the streets to watch some of the biggest stars in world athletics. City Paul Foster, chief executive of The Great Run Company, which organises the event, said: “After 10 very successful years bringing some of the biggest names in international sport to the city of Manchester, we have decided to retire the event and focus our efforts on building on the extraordinary success of the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run. “We are currently working with Manchester city council to develop a new event to engage young people in Manchester as part of the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run weekend. “The Great City Games has been an amazing event, and I want to thank Manchester city council and our other partners, all the athletes, and everyone who came to watch for their support.”

Held on the same May weekend at the Great Manchester Run, the City Games saw sprints taking place on a pop-up track on Deansgate as well as field events such as pole event and long jump held in Albert Square.

According to Athletics Weekly, the 14.35 secs 150m time clocked by Usain Bolt in the first games in 2009 was the quickest race in history when measured in miles per hour.

Other stars to have competed at the games include Olympic long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford and Kenyan middle distance great David Rudisha.

Manchester council has been contacted for comment.