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LONDON — World 100 meters hurdles champion Sally Pearson will race at this year’s Great North CityGames as the organisers announced that exciting street athletics event will move to a new location.
Pearson, who will defend her world title at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, later this year, is set to compete in the sprint hurdles on what will be a specially constructed track in Stockton on September 7.
The Australian who has been slowly working her way back to championship form, is the London 2012 Olympic champion and 2011 and 2017 World champion.
Pearson landed an impressive double victory at the Great North CityGames in 2013 after winning the 100m hurdles and returned 75 minutes later to capture the 150m race in Newcastle.
“I’m really looking forward to competing in Stockton on Tees for the first time,” she said in a release by the organisers.
“I’ve had some memorable races at Great CityGames meets over the years and I’m excited about being one of the first athletes to compete in a new location.
“Street meetings are always different and you don’t know what to expect, and with the fans being able to get so close to the action it makes it something that athletes really feed off.”
The Leaders Speak Ahead Of The Event
Meanwhile, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen welcomed the announcement of Pearson’s participation and is excited to see which other global stars will join the list.
“I’m delighted to welcome Sally Pearson to the Tees Valley for the Great North CityGames,” he said.
“Our summer of massive events, which included BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, and concerts by Take That and Jess Glynne, is ending with a bang.
“I can’t wait to hear which other global athletics stars will be joining her.”
Speaking as well was Councillor Bob Cook, the Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, and he too is delighted about what is expected to be a weekend of first-class sporting action.
“This is a real coup for our High Street. This new announcement shows the incredible standard of international sportspeople coming for the Great North CityGames.
“It’s set to be a massive event, and I hope Sally Pearson has as fantastic a time in Stockton as we’ll have coming out to support the CityGames.”
The Great North CityGames will offer a range of events from 100m sprints to the one-mile distance.
In addition, there will be competition in the pole vault and long jump in at the uniquely constructed multi-sports arena on Stockton-on-Tees High Street.
The weekend will also include the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great North Run, the Simplyhealth Great North 5k, the Simplyhealth Great Tees 10K with the world-famous Simplyhealth Great North Run on Sunday closing out the weekend.
