Published Thursday 30 June 2022 at 16:15
Britain’s best IRONMAN weekend is back in Bolton from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd July and people are being encouraged to take part, support the athletes or simply turn up and enjoy the spectacle.
The event just skims BwD in the West Pennine Ward impacting the A666 and so residents are advised to check road closures before travelling available on the IRONMAN website
Helping to celebrate the achievements of all the athletes there will be a festival zone, family fun area and music stages.
Located in Bolton town centre, the festival zone will feature entertainment, food, drink and a bar. The family fun zone nearby will offer face painting, a climbing wall, fairground games, football, a caving bus, arts and crafts and of course ice cream.
Both zones are open on Friday 1st for Night Run from 5pm to 10pm, on Saturday 2nd for IRONKIDS from 10am to 5pm, and on Sunday 3rd for IRONMAN from noon till 8pm.
Also on Sunday 3rd there will be a pop-up music stage featuring local artists as the IRONMAN running course brings athletes through Queens Park.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Leader Cllr Riley, said:
“We are especially pleased that the event is able to go ahead this year, giving many people something positive to focus on and look forward to.
We would love people to go along to support the event. It promises to be a truly fabulous weekend of sport!”
Night Run, Friday 1st July from 7pm
Join over 1,000 athletes taking on a fun-filled 5k race through the streets of Bolton town centre, with live music, a fantastic festival finish down the IRONMAN red carpet, and food and drink vendors at the finish line in Victoria Square. Places are still available and you can register now
IRONKIDS, Saturday 2nd July from 9am
It’s back and bigger than ever, as over 4,000 young athletes race the town centre course in the largest IRONKIDS event in the world! The sold-out run sees children aged 3-15 earn their IRONKIDS finisher medal. Pop down to cheer them on and soak up the atmosphere.
IRONMAN UK, Sunday 3rd July from 7am
Bolton will host over 2,400 athletes from 32 countries taking part in the gruelling swim, bike and run challenge. An updated bike course brings the excitement to even more communities this year – including a tough new section up and down Smithills Dean Road.
The athletes need you!
Head to the town centre on July 1st and 2nd to cheer on the Night Runners and IRONKIDS and enjoy the festival and family fun zones.
And on Sunday 3rd July, you can support the IRONMAN UK athletes all around the course. Le Mans Crescent and Queen’s Park in Bolton are good spots to cheer from as you can see the athletes multiple times.
Spectator hotspots along the bike course are Smithills Dean Road (with a farm, café, family activities, parking and a footpath for safe viewing), and Egerton village (with local shops, pubs and restaurants at the foot of a long descent).
On the marathon run course, Queen’s Park, Chorley New Road, Bolton and the incredible town centre finish line are the places to be.
For all the details, download the IRONMAN 2022 spectator guide.
Road Closures
To keep athletes safe, temporary road closures will be needed over the weekend, including in the town centre on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd.
- Pedestrians CAN cross the course at any time when it is safe to do so.
- Access for carers will be facilitated. Please contact uk@ironmanroadaccess.comto make arrangements.
- There are NO RESTRICTIONS at any time to any of the emergency services.
Detailed information about the road closures is available on the IRONMAN website
There is also a road access hotline that people can call. It is open now and throughout the race weekend: 03330 11 66 00.
People can also email for more information to uk@ironmanroadaccess.com. Please note this address is not monitored on race day.