ATHLETES clambered over cars, through haystacks and across a river as they competed in Europe's first Urbanathlon. More than 600 people took part in the 10km endurance race in a sunny East Manchester.
The event, which is popular in the US, sees racers tackle a series of both man-made and natural
obstacles in their quest for glory.
The Sportcity course began with a lap of the regional athletics track, before racing around the B of the Bang sculpture, up and down the City of Manchester Stadium's spiral staircases and on to Joe Mercer Way.
Competitors, many running for their own nominated charities, then scrambled over cars, breeze blocks and climbing walls, through spiders' webs made of ropes and onto nearby Philip's Park. There they faced yet more challenging obstacles, including water slides and the River Medlock.
Organiser John Dwan, of Sporting Enterprises, said: "It was a fantastic success, the sun was shining, there was a great atmosphere and competitors seemed to really enjoy themselves. We hope to stage another Urbanathlon in Manchester in the future and were really pleased it raised so much for charity."
The Original Source Urbanathlon, organised by Sporting Enterprises, Sport4Life and supported by Manchester Council, was launched by Manchester Olympian Diane Modahl in March.
As the competitors raced in waves, the winners will be announced on Friday 18th July.
rational setting of SportCity, East Manchester with up to fifteen obstacles that will bar your way to glory. From the dizzying stairwells of the City of Manchester Stadium via the B of the Bang to mud-drenched fields and death slides this undulating course, set in an urban park will provide you with the challenge to 
end all challenges. If you’ve ever wanted to test yourself by running over parked cars, striding through rivers or scrambling through a giant spiders web along with over 1,000 fellow Urban-athletes then this event is made for you! All this, located two miles from the heart of Manchester, on a Sunday morning. Perfect!