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