All smiles at the finish line after completing the 10km route In pictures

The Great Manchester Run began on Oxford Street and headed towards the Imperial War Museum North in Trafford.

Competitors then passed Old Trafford football ground before heading towards the finish line on Deansgate.

The race was won by Irish athlete Sonia O'Sullivan, who completed in 32 minutes 12 seconds.

Ethiopian Berhane Adere finished the 10km three seconds behind O'Sullivan with 2004 London Marathon winner Margaret Okayo third in 32:24.

Sonia O'Sullivan was first across the finish line

The first domestic runner to complete the race was Hayley Yelling from Bedford, with a time of 33.01.

Many roads around the city were to remain closed until about 1800 BST on Sunday while the race takes place.

The run, which is sponsored by BUPA, will raise funds for three charities; Kirsty's Appeal for Francis House, Cancer Research UK and the Leukaemia Research Fund.

Emmerdale stars Emma Atkins, who plays Charity Dingle, and Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard in the soap, put their names down for the race.

BBC North West Tonight's Gordon Burns ran for the second year in a row.