After ten years of success on the Newcastle/Gateshead Quayside, the Great North City Games will have a new home in Stockton next year. Graeme Hetherington reports on a coup for the town.
WORLD-class athletes will be testing their skills in Stockton next year after the town pulled off a major coup.
The Great North City-Games, which has been staged on the NewcastleGateshead Quayside for ten years as part of the iconic Simplyhealth Great North Run weekend, will be held in its new location for the first time on Saturday, September 7 next year.
The event will form part of an action-packed sporting weekend across the North-East, taking place on the same day as the new Simplyhealth Great Tees 10K, with its own Junior and Mini runs, while the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great
North Run and Simplyhealth Great North 5K will remain on the NewcastleGateshead Quayside.
The decision has been welcomed by the leader of Stockton Borough Council, Councillor Bob Cook, who said: “The profile of the
CityGames can only enhance our growing reputation as a place where you can enjoy world-class festivals and events.
“It’s yet another example of how we are bringing something different to Stockton High Street.
“We’ve had everything from sci-fi markets to supercars this year and we’re certainly looking forward to watching elite sprinters and hurdlers on the High Street next
year.”
The event is being brought to the borough thanks to a partnership between the Great Run Company, Tees Valley Combined Authority an the council.
Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: “After ten incredibly successful years on the NewcastleGateshead Quayside, the Great North CityGames is moving to Stockton-on-Tees to expand the positive impact of the world-famous Simplyhealth Great North Run weekend in the North East region.
“Holding the Great North CityGames in Stockton-on-Tees, alongside the growing Simplyhealth Great Tees 10K and Simplyhealth Junior Mini Great Tees Run, will provide a focal point for the event in the south of the region, giving a whole new audience the opportunity to be a part of the iconic event.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “We’re delighted at the prospect of welcoming some of the world’s elite athletes.
“Over the last ten years the Great North CityGames has gone from strength to strength and will allow us to showcase Stockton-on-Tees and the Tees Valley at its very best.”
For more information about the Great North
CityGames visit the websit, www.greatcitygames.org
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