LUCKY sport fans have begun receiving letters confirming their seats at one of 17 Commonwealth Games events. The lottery process has been completed and was being celebrated today by a fun race at Manchester's Printworks.

New Zealand rugby winger Jonah Lomu and British 100 metres Olympic gold medallist Linford Christie were due to go head-to-head in a 50 metre sprint at the entertainment complex.

At the finishing line they were being handed Games tickets by the event's mascot, Kit. The Games have sold 333,850 tickets so far -- 44.5 per cent of the available tickets.

Bolton Arena will be full for the two badminton finals, while the heats are close to capacity. Rivington's cycle race is a free event.

Linford Christie said: "This race is a bit of friendly fun, that we hope reflects the unique spirit behind the Commonwealth Games."

Frances Done, chief executive of Manchester 2002, said the recruitment of volunteers was almost complete and ticket sales had exceeded expectations. The second batch of tickets will go on sale from January 6.