Story highlights Thousands of spectators and runners packed Manchester's city center

Security was tight across city less than a week after deadly terror attack

Manchester (CNN) Less than a week after the terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert which killed 22 people, thousands of people packed into the center of the city for the Great Manchester Run.

Elite athletes were joined by those running for charity as thousands more lined the streets to cheer them on amid tight security.

After a minute's silence before the start of the race, runners sang Oasis anthem "Don't look back in anger," a moment described as "intensely poignant" by Rishi Makwana.

So let me give you surreal... minute's silence followed by this... #emotional #runformanchester #standtogether A post shared by Rishi Makwana (@rhmakwana) on May 28, 2017 at 6:50am PDT

"Determination mixed with absolute unity -- very powerful," is how Makwana described the event on his Instagram when asked by CNN.

"This run holds personal significance for me so that made it all the more powerful. The city and its people are incredible."