Ironman Triathlon - 31st July 2011
Beware the following is not for the faint hearted, so if you are feeling super human then read on…
For the second year the 140.6 mile Bolton Ironman triathlon will start at Pennington Flash Country Park, Leigh on Sunday, July 31st.
This endurance event attracts around 1400 competitors from more than 30 countries around the world including Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, Kenya, USA, Canada and Venezuela to name just a few.
The race starts at 6am with a 2.4 mile swim in Pennington Flash. Competitors then take their bikes and head off towards Bolton and the 112 mile bike ride in and around Lancashire. The final leg of the course, a 26.2 mile marathon, takes place in the streets of Bolton finishing in the town centre outside Bolton Town Hall.
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The Competitors
Both men and women take part, aged from 18 to some in their early 70’s. They come from all walks of life and many enter the event to raise funds for charity. Whether they are professional athletes, triathlon enthusiasts or first timers all will have undertaken an intensive training programme over many weeks to be ready for race day.
The professional athletes will complete the 140.6 mile triathlon in around 8hrs 40mins with the rest of the field finishing the gruelling all day event over the following 8 hours, yes that’s 16 hours! For most simply finishing the race in under the cut off time of 17 hours is the real sense of achievement whilst raising funds for charity.
This year teams from the Headley Court Military Hospital, Surrey are entering to raise funds for the Help for Heroes Charity. These teams are all serving British Military personnel who have suffered injuries during their recent postings. In true Ironman style these relay teams will show that anything is possible. They will be racing the same course under the same rules and cut off times as the other competitors.
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The Swim
All the competitors have to enter the water prior to the mass start. The 2.4 mile swim route comprises of 2 laps going anticlockwise around a large part of the Flash; the footpath network in the park provides numerous vantage points for spectators.
The fastest competitors complete the swim in approximately 45 minutes, then run to the transition area on the picnic field near the golf course, where they change, often while on the move, and collect their bikes. They run, pushing their bikes to the bike ride start point by the main car park. Spectators in this area, including friends and families of many of the competitors, get great views and opportunities to take photographs of all the action. The rest of the competitors continue to exit the water for another hour or so. The maximum time allowed for the swim section is 2 hours and 20 minutes.
One of the most exciting aspects of the race is the transition from swim to bike ride and well worth getting up early to see!
Parking for spectators will be available at Leigh Sports Village, only a very short walk from the country park. Parking at Pennington Flash will be restricted to disabled badge holders but you must arrive before 6:00am and you will not be able to leave before 9:00am when the last cyclist should have cleared the area. Disabled badges or a letter of authority must be shown to gain access. No vehicles will be allowed on or off the site between 6:00am and 9:00am.
- For more information about the event please see the Ironman UK website
- View TV coverage from last year's event.
Ironman UK is organised by World Endurance UK and supported by Bolton Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Lancashire County Council, Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Police, Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, Wigan Council, and Blackburn and Darwen Council.