WHEN it comes to homecomings, they don’t come much happier than the one experienced by Richard Kilty at the weekend. The ‘Teesside Tornado’ seized the opportunity to compete in his native Stockton with both hands as his victory in the 100m provided one of the highlights of a hugely successful Great North CityGames.

With the CityGames relocating to Stockton’s High Street from the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside, Kilty opted to double up in the 150m and 100m. He came third over the longer distance, but roared on by his family and friends, the Teessider triumphed in the shorter of the two sprints to ensure he experienced a day he will never forget.

“As a kid, I lived 100m away from this spot,” said Kilty, who ranked Saturday’s victory as even more enjoyable than his gold-medal success at the World Indoors. “When I was growing up, I lived near the church at the top of the High Street, so this is as close as you can get to where I grew up.

“It’s phenomenal, and added to an emotional day. It was hard to concentrate at times because I’m seeing my friends and my family, and people I grew up with. It was a different environment, it was incredible. I wouldn’t have changed that for the world, it was amazing.

“If I can be biased, I’d say the crowd was a lot better than what we have had at CityGames around the country. There seemed to be even more people here, probably because of the space you get on the High Street.”

As well as Kilty’s triumph, there were also victories for Olympic and World champion Allyson Felix in the women’s 150m, Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock in the men’s IPC 100m and Sophie Hahn in the women’s IPC 100m on a day when the spotlight fell on Stockton, which hosted the CityGames for the first time in the event’s 11-year history.

Britain’s widest High Street proved to be an excellent stage for the specially-erected track, long jump and pole vault arena as thousands of spectators descended on the market town for its big day, with the athletics action living up to its billing.

The day started with the men’s pole vault, and Charlie Myers was narrowly denied victory on his home patch. The Middlesbrough athlete missed out on first place on countback, clearing 5.45m with Cole Walsh taking the win.

Peacock continued his good form as he looks forward to the IPC World Athletics Championships in Dubai, clocking 11.53secs en route to victory. Felix Streng was second in 11.75 with Michail Seitis third in 11.99.

Hahn smashed the CityGames record to take victory in the women’s IPC 100m in a time of 13.07secs, with Marlene van Gansewinkel second in 13.73 and Sophie Kamlish third in 14.13.

The 400m races started on the road and finished on the track through the High Street, and Holland’s Tony van Diepen took the victory in the men’s race ahead of American Tyrell Richard and Briton Martyn Rooney.

Jaide Stepter won the women’s race in 54.10, with British pair Amy Allcock and Jesse Knight in second and third respectively.

In the hurdles, Damian Czykier repeated his victory from Manchester last year, easing ahead of Britain’s David King, with Queen Claye winning the women’s race ahead of Cindy Ofili.

Kilty lost out to Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in the men’s 150m, with Felix exerting complete control over the women’s event as she triumphed in 17.37secs.

The elite mile events took place in Newcastle-Gateshead, with Australian Jordan Williams taking the victory for the third consecutive year. in the men’s event and Scot Elish McColgan earning a straightforward victory in the women’s race as she eased home in 4:32.04 ahead of fellow Briton Melissa Courtney.