The 9th annual iconic Ironman UK, which takes place on Sunday 4 August in and around Bolton, in the north west of England, needs hundreds of volunteers to contribute to the success of this world class event.
Attracting some of the world’s leading triathletes, this sell-out event will see 1600 competitors from around the globe take part in an ultimate test of endurance.
>>> Ironman UK volunteer poster
The race gets underway at 06:00 GMT with a 2.4 mile swim in Pennington Flash, followed by a 112 mile cycle through the spectacular Lancashire countryside, finishing with a 26.2 mile looped marathon course where some 30,000 supporters cheer athletes all the way to the finish line in Bolton town centre.
Whilst the pros finish in under 9 hours, competitors have up to 17 hours to cross the finish line to claim the honour of becoming an ‘Ironman’.
Organisers are recruiting an army of volunteers to ensure the event runs as smoothly as possible. There are a range of areas that volunteers can help with throughout the event including:
- Feed stations – helping athletes fuel their race by handing out drinks, gels or other food
- Registration – helping athletes collect registration packs and timing chips
- Road marshalling – ensuring that competitors can proceed safely whether cycling or running as well as being a point of contact for spectators viewing the event
- Transition – helping athletes find their kit and also packing it away for them
Volunteering is a great way to get involved in a major international sporting event. Last year’s event saw thousands of visitors and more than £2.7 million brought into the local economy. A large part of the event’s success was down to the hundreds of volunteers, many of whom were local, who helped on the day.
Whilst the majority of volunteering opportunities are on race day, volunteers can also assist from the Thursday 1 August onwards, when competitors start to register for the event, through to Monday 5 August when the Awards Ceremony takes place.
Race Director of Ironman UK, Dan James, said “The volunteer crew at Ironman are such a huge part of the whole Ironman experience and they work at the very heart of the race. It is a fantastic day and as a volunteer you become a part of the athletes’ memories and experience.”
Bolton Council’s Cabinet Member for Sport, Councillor Anthony Connell, added “Ironman is now firmly on the map as one of Bolton’s top events and we couldn’t achieve this success without the volunteers who help showcase Bolton as one of the friendliest towns in the UK.”
Ironman organisers are working with many local groups to provide volunteers, but are also on the lookout for individuals who want to join the team. There are jobs for all ages and abilities. Training will be provided and no previous experience is required.
For more information or to register as a volunteer, interested parties can simply visit the volunteer registration page on the Ironman UK website or contact Ironman UK’s Volunteer Manager, Geoffrey Bennette (geoffrey.bennette[at]worldenduranceuk.com).
