This weekend over 4,250 Ironman athletes and IronKids will converge on Bolton for the iconic, sold-out Ironman UK.
With a newly modified bike course and an extra 400 entries for the 2014 event, the 10th annual Ironman UK takes place this weekend – and is kick-started by the world’s largest IronKids race on Saturday 19 July. This is followed by the main event, the 10th annual Ironman UK on Sunday 20 July.
IronKids kicks off the weekend’s racing from 08:00 to 12.30 GMT on Saturday 19 July in Bolton’s Victoria Square. A record 2,250 places have sold out and will see kids aged 3-14 taking part in this ‘fun run’ in and around the town centre.
Held in partnership with Bolton Council, IronKids has grown in popularity since its inception in 2012 and offers different distances according to the child’s age, ranging from 500m to 2,500m, and ending under the iconic Ironman Finish Arch in Victoria Square. The emphasis on the event is all about encouraging kids to lead an active, healthy lifestyle, whilst experiencing and being part of the action of a world class event.
On Sunday 20 July, Ironman UK will get underway at 06:00 at Pennington Flash, Wigan. As part of the 10 year celebrations, 3 time Ironman World Champion Craig ‘Crowie’ Alexander will be on hand to start the race, inspire and cheer on over 2,000 athletes from around the globe.
Attracting some of the world’s leading Ironman triathletes, the event also attracts a range of athletes of all ages and abilities each with their own story to tell as to why they’ve entered this ultimate race of endurance.
While the Pro field will be looking for qualifying points towards their Kona Pro rankings as well as battling it out for the US$25,000 prize fund, all of the athletes will be completing the same course and hoping to cross the finish line within the 17 hour time limit, and the goal they’ve worked so hard for, to gain the Ironman badge of glory.
Consisting of a 2.4 mile swim in Pennington Flash, a 112 mile new and extended 2 lap cycle course through the Lancashire countryside, the event finishes with a 26.2 mile looped marathon course where lots of organised music and entertainment and some 30,000 supporters are expected to cheer athletes all the way to the finish line in Bolton town centre.
Amongst those entered in this year’s age group field are a range of athletes, ‘from first timers, to serial repeat offenders.’ The organisers note that, for many, Ironman has become a way of life, a goal to keep them going through the challenges life has thrown at them. ‘All are an inspiration to watch and need all the support and cheering thrown at them to get them to the finish in Bolton’s Victoria Square.’
Kevin Stewart, Managing Director Ironman Great Britain & Ireland said, “It is very exciting to be celebrating 10 years of Ironman UK and we are very much looking forward to welcoming all the IronKids and Ironman athletes and their supporters to Bolton. We are continually working hard with the local authorities to improve the event and hope the newly positioned transition at the Macron Stadium and revised bike course will both add to the success and positive experience for each competitor.”
Bolton Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Councillor John Byrne, added “We’re really looking forward to Ironkids and Ironman returning to town and welcoming the competitors and supporters to Bolton. This is the sixth year we’ve hosted Ironman and the third Ironkids event, which shows just how well Bolton is able to deliver huge sporting events.”
He continued, “Ironman is a real test of endurance and as someone who recently completed the mini triathlon in Horwich, I really admire these athletes. We hope the people of Bolton will come out once again, and get behind the athletes.”
In addition to the weekend’s racing, there will be an Ironman Expo at the Macron Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers football club, on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July, which is free for the public to attend and ‘a great opportunity to view and buy the latest sports equipment.’
The weekend’s events are free for spectators to watch. With Ironman UK action taking place across Lancashire there are a number of opportunities and venues to view the event including Pennington Flash, where the swim will start at 06:00; The Macron Stadium/Middlebrook Retail Park will be live from around 11.30 to 17:30; and Victoria Square in Bolton town centre, where the first athlete is expected to finish around 14:30.
www.ironmanuk.com
www.visitbolton.com
