
Tens of thousands of defiant runners turned out to pound the pavements in the first major city-centre event since 22 people were killed by the Manchester bomber.

There were initial fears the Great Manchester Run would be abandoned after the atrocity on Monday night, but organisers vowed the annual event for 40,000 would go ahead amid heightened security.

Officers armed with assault rifles were dotted around the course, standing guard as runners trotted by watched by huge crowds who lined the route.

A day after 50,000 watched Courtneeners perform at a homecoming gig at Old Trafford, the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club, the city's streets were packed with elite runners, children and amateurs.

The event comes six days after Salman Abedi blew himself up at Manchester Arena as thousands were piling out of the venue having watched Ariana Grande, killing 22 and injuring at least 119.

Tens of thousands of defiant runners turned out to pound the pavements in the first major city-centre event since 22 people were killed by the Manchester bomber

Armed police officers on patrol as thousands of defiant runners and spectators turn out for the Great Manchester Run, following the terror attack at the Manchester Arena in the city earlier this week

Matthew Hayhurst posted this picture of himself arm-in-arm with his family simply with the caption, 'We are not afraid'

Armed police guard the area during the Great Manchester Run in Manchester, England Sunday, May 28, 2017

Runners pay respect at flower tributes in St Ann's square, before the Great Manchester Run in Manchester, England Sunday, May 28, 2017

There were initial fears the Great Manchester Run would be abandoned after the atrocity on Monday night, but organisers vowed the annual event for 40,000 would go ahead amid heightened security

Officers armed with assault rifles are dotted around the course, standing guard as runners trot by watched by huge crowds who are lining the route

A sea of runners form up and set off from Portland Street in Manchester city centre at the start of the Great Manchester Run

Girls at the start of the Junior half marathon as thousands of defiant runners and spectators turn out for the Great Manchester Run, following the terror attack at the Manchester Arena in the city earlier this week

Mayor of Manchester (left) Andy Burnham running during the Great Manchester Run, which filled the city's streets (right)

A day after 50,000 watched Courtneeners perform at a homecoming gig at Old Trafford, the home of Lancashire Cricket Club, the city's streets were packed with elite runners, children and amateurs amid the armed police officers

A police officer drafted in from Wales to help with the security operation, points as two runners walk by in Manchester

As well as elite runners (pictured), charity runners will be taking part to raise money for a number of causes - including a fund for the families of the Manchester bombing's victims

The defiant people of Manchester fill the streets after taking part in the Great Northern Run through the streets of Manchester

Boys at the start of the Junior half marathon as thousands of defiant runners and spectators turn out for the Great Manchester Run, following the terror attack at the Manchester Arena in the city earlier this week

The junior races kicked off this morning and before the main race the runners fell silent for a minute to remember the victims of Monday night's terror attack.

As well as elite runners, charity runners took part to raise money for a number of causes - including a fund for the families of the Manchester bombing's victims.

Those running were determined to show they would not bow to terror.

Matthew Hayhurst posted a picture of himself arm-in-arm with his family simply with the caption, 'We are not afraid'.

Each are wearing a message on their backs with their names followed by 'is not afraid'.

David Hart said: 'Whether running it, watching it, or working it, here's to the Grea Manchester Run and our chance to show the resolve of this great city.'

Another runner, Matt, said: 'Proudly running the streets of Manchester this weekend in the Great Manchester Run. We won't let these people win. We stand together.'

The half marathon got under way at 9am while the larger 10k started at 12.45pm.

Among those running the half marathon was Manchester United legend Bryan Robson, who was running for the Kirsty appeal and told the Manchester Evening News: 'I'm obviously doing this for the victims of the terror attack and the people of Manchester.

'It's always a great occasion, but it's even more important this year because of what happened.

'This is what Manchester people are like. They've come out, united together and still want to try and enjoy themselves even though everyone's condolences go to the families.'

Devout Liverpudlian comedian John Bishop embodied the unification of the city by coming out to support Mancunians, and before setting off to run said: 'I lived in Manchester for 20 years of my life and everything that's important to me came from Manchester - my wife, my kids are from here, I started comedy here and I ran this race 10 years ago.

'When I heard about the events of this week, I think it just felt important for me to be here and show a sense of solidarity.'

A heavy security presence at the finish line in Deansgate today at the Manchester Great Run following the Manchester Arena terror attack

Armed police officers stand on duty as a boy taking part in a fun run skips past them, in central Manchester, England

A heavy security presence at the finish line in Deansgate today at the Manchester Great Run following the Manchester Arena terror attack

Armed police officers on patrol as thousands of defiant runners and spectators turn out for the Great Manchester Run

Four armed officers carrying assault rifles walk in front of a McDonald's in Manchester city centre which is adorned with supportive slogans

A heavy security presence at the finish line in Deansgate today at the Manchester Great Run following the Manchester Arena terror attack

People pay their respects and lay flowers at a memorial for the victims of the Manchester bombing at St Ann's Square, near Manchester Arena in Manchester

An armed police officer stands at the start of the Great Manchester Run in central Manchester as the hunt is still on for suspects in the Manchester bombing, and members of attacker Salman Abedi's network may still be at large, Britain's interior minister said Sunday

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester prepares to participate in a 10k run in central Manchester under the watchful eye of a bolstered security presence

Spectators, one in tears, watch the start of the Great Manchester Run in Manchester, as tens of thousands line the streets

A boy wears a sign on his back ahead of the Junior Boys half marathon as thousands of defiant runners and spectators turn out for the Great Manchester Run

John Bishop ran in the race today and said: 'When I heard about the events of this week, I think it just felt important for me to be here and show a sense of solidarity.'

A host of celebrities took part in the race today including Kym Marsh (left) and Sally Lindsey and Denise Welch (right)

Runners put their thumbs up and smile on their way to start line for the Great Manchester Run in Manchester this morning

Former WBA lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla ran again this year, having been a mainstay at the event, and he told Manchester Evening News: 'This year I think more than ever I want to do this run after what happened on Monday night because it shows the togetherness of the city.

'The response of the tragedy has shown how strong we are as Mancunians and we've had support from up and down the country.'

As the defiant runners swelled the population of the city, the investigation into deranged killer Salman Abedi and his suspected network of terrorists continues.

CCTV images have been revealed showing the murderer just minutes before he detonated his homemade bomb on his way to Manchester Arena.

Despite an obvious hatred of the West, Abedi was wearing £150 Nike Air Jordan trainers and a Hollister body warmer - two American clothing brands.

The Great Manchester Run went ahead as:

More arrests were made in Moss Side as police raided yet another property, taking the total arrests up to 14;

CCTV images were released of Salman Abedi sauntering towards Manchester Arena just minutes before he massacred 22 people;

Calls were made by a Muslim former police chief to give authorities the power to detain terror suspects indefinitely and without trial

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said that the ‘fast moving and complex investigation’ had made ‘significant progress’;

SAS trained security guards were dispatched to the Costa del Sol to protect British tourists;

It was claimed MI5 was warned by the FBI in January that Abedi was planning an attack in Britain;

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said Britain can expect more terrorist atrocities if Jeremy Corbyn becomes Prime Minister;

The bomber’s younger brother allegedly confessed to involvement in the plot and was planning his own attack on a UN support mission to Libya;

Police made further arrests – taking the total to 13 – and later evacuated an area of Moss Side in Manchester as bomb disposal officers searched an address;

The UK terrorism threat level was reduced from critical to severe, indicating an attack is highly likely, but not expected imminently.

Was his hand on the trigger? Salman Abedi on the night that he travelled to the Manchester Arena and detonated a bomb after the Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people and injuring 119

It appears to run in the family as his younger brother was planning an attack on a United Nations special envoy.

Reports claim Hashem Abedi, 20, had plotted to assassinate Martin Kobler, the head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, during a visit to Tripoli earlier this year.

The terrorist cell were thought to be in the later stages of the plan, but it was foiled before it could be executed.

The Islamic extremist group had been monitored for some months by Libyan security services who believe the younger Abedi brother is a 'significant player, reports the Telegraph.

He was arrested at the Abedi family home in Tripoli on Tuesday and is being interrogated by MI6 and Libyan intelligence over his role in the Manchester Arena bombing last Monday.

As a result of Monday night's attack, a Muslim former police chief has declared thousands of radical extremists must be locked up in new internment camps to protect Britain from the unprecedented terror threat it faces.

Writing exclusively for The Mail on Sunday, Tarique Ghaffur warns there are too many extremists on the streets for police and MI5 officers to monitor.

Mr Ghaffur, an Assistant Commissioner at Scotland Yard when the 7/7 bombings took place, proposes that special centres be set up to detain as many as 3,000 extremists, where they can be kept from launching attacks.

They would also be made to go through a de-radicalisation programme.