Bolton played host to another bumper weekend of sporting action recently as Night Run Bolton UK, IRONKIDS Bolton and IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton all took place with over 8,000 athletes combined.
Friday evening saw the fun and party atmosphere of Night Run, a five or ten kilometre run around the town centre for people of a wide range of abilities.
On Saturday, June 7, IRONKIDS Bolton took over with 5,000 children and young people signed up to run through the town centre in an event that remains the biggest of its kind in the world.
IRONMAN 70.3 Bolton was the big event on Sunday, bringing athletes to Bolton not only from the UK, but also from countries such as France, Italy and the US.
Athletes first took on the 1.2-mile swim course at Pennington Flash Country Park, before switching to the 56-mile bike course and enjoying some epic spectator support along Chorley New Road.
The event was rounded off with a 13.1-mile run course around Bolton town centre, Queen’s Park and Chorley New Road, ending at the iconic finish line in front of the town hall amid rapturous applause from the big crowds.
The men’s champion, Lewis Ecclestone, said:
“I was getting so much support around the course it was brilliant. I just wanted that course record!”
The women’s champion, Katie Walker, said:
“I loved it! This was my first IRONMAN branded event ever. The crowds were amazing and I’m ready to go out and do more.”