THOUSANDS of spectators are expected to watch world-class athletes compete on Stockton High Street this weekend.
But fans hoping to watch the Great North City Games, which is being held in the town for the first time, are being advised where possible to travel by public transport where possible as road closures come into force.
However, the town’s main car parks, including Castlegate and Wellington Square, will be open, with overflowed parking planned on the Victoria estate and in Teesdale, Thornaby.
The event will see world-class sprinters, long jumpers and even pole vaulters head to Stockton.
The high-street will be transformed to host athletes from around the globe as they compete alongside the best of home-grown talent.
The City Games is held on Saturday between 9.15am and 2.45pm, the day before Tyneside’s famous half marathon, the Great North Run.
The roads are expected to become busy and motorists are being asked to be patient, and to park legally and in line with restrictions.
There will be a number of temporary road closures in operation around the town centre for the event.
Buses will also be temporarily diverted from their normal routes.
The Great Tees 10k takes part on the same day, as well as a mini and junior run.
The runs start and finish a stone’s throw from Stockton High Street. Entries for the run, which follows a flat route along the banks of the Tees, close this morning at 10am.
Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for health, leisure and culture, said: “The fact that this is a 10k rather than a marathon or half-marathon makes it accessible to pretty much anyone.
“It’s a flat and very pleasant riverside route taking in landmarks like the Infinity Bridge, Tees Barrage and Newport Bridge and you can do it at your own pace.
“And when you’re finished you can stick around and watch world-class athletes competing in the Great North CityGames.
“There’ll be all kinds of events including the 100m, 110m hurdles, 400m, pole vault and long jump.”
Some roads are already closed around Stockton, with more to follow ahead of Saturday, and some bus stops are not in operation.
- For more information about the Great North CityGames visit here
THE TIMETABLE FOR SATURDAY
09:15 MEN’S 1 MILE - NewcastleGateshead Quayside
09:22 WOMEN’S 1 MILE - NewcastleGateshead Quayside
9:30 SIMPLYHEALTH MINI GREAT TEES RUN (2K)
10:30 SIMPLYHEALTH JUNIOR GREAT TEES RUN (4K)
11:45 SIMPLYHEALTH GREAT TEES 10K
11:15 MEN’S POLE VAULT COMPETITION START
12:25 GREAT SCHOOL SPRINT - GIRLS’ 100M FINAL
12:30 GREAT SCHOOL SPRINT - BOYS’ 100M FINAL
12:35 MEN’S 100M
13:00 WOMEN’S LONG JUMP COMPETITION START
13:15 On Air (BBC One)
13:20 MEN’S IPC 100M
13:30 WOMEN’S IPC 100M
13:38 MEN’S 400M (ROAD)
13:46 WOMEN’S 400M (ROAD)
13:54 Great School Sprint - Girls B Final
13:57 Great School Sprint - Boys B Final
14:05 MEN’S 110M HURDLES
14:15 WOMEN’S 100M HURDLES
14:25 MEN’S 150M
14:35 WOMEN’S 150M
ROAD CLOSURES AROUND STOCKTON
18:00 (Tuesday 3 September) to 06:00 (Monday 9 September) - High St, Stockton-on-Tees
18:00 (Tuesday 3 September) to 06:00 (Monday 9 September) - Church Rd, Westbound carriageway between High St and The Square
18:00 (Tuesday 3 September) to 06:00 (Monday 9 September) - Knowles St
23:59 (Friday 6 September) to 22:00 (Saturday 7 September) - A1305 Riverside, Stockton-on-Tees
04:00 to 18:00 (Saturday 7 September) - Council of Europe Boulevard, Stockton-on-Tees/Thornaby
04:00 to 18:00 (Saturday 7 September) - University Boulevard, Thornaby
04:00 to 18:00 (Saturday 7 September) - Columbia Drive, Thornaby
04:00 to 18:00 (Saturday 7 September) - St Mark’s Court, Thornaby
04:00 to 18:00 (Saturday 7 September) - Harvard Avenue, Thornaby
04:00 to 18:00 (Saturday 7 September) - North Shore Road, Stockton-on-Tees
04:00 to 18:00 (Saturday 7 September) - Dugdale Street, Stockton-on-Tees
04:00 to 18:00 (Saturday 7 September) - A1046 North Shore Road (southern leg gyratory; south side of westbound carriageway only)
09:00 to 17:00 (Saturday 7 September) - Bishop St between Knowles St and Calvert Lane
10:30 to 11:15 and 11:45 to 13:00 (Satuday 7 September) - Maze Lane, Stockton-on-Tees
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