IRONMAN UK event postponed

The IRONMAN UK competition which had its gruelling bike course through parts of the Darwen area has been postponed in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The fitness event has earned a reputation for being one of the toughest races in the world, with some of the best spectator support and race atmospheres in Europe. It takes place in Bolton with the tough bike descent coming through Darwen and the surrounding areas.

This year’s event was due to take place on Sunday, July 12 but has been moved to July 4^th in 2021. This followed discussions between IRONMAN UK and Bolton Council, which helps to organise the event with Blackburn with Darwen Council helping to map out the local routes.

It will consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride finishing with a marathon into Bolton town centre. The weekend also hosts the popular IRONKIDS and the Night Run, both of which have also been rescheduled.

The bike route takes athletes through the northern countryside, starting with a point to point from Pennington Flash to Bolton for the first few miles. This then becomes a 3-lap bike course to and from an experiential perspective, the route is slightly faster with 650 feet reduction in climbing.

As part of the race’s return to Blackburn with Darwen there are a few technical descents through Edgworth, Turton and Chapeltown at the north end of the course with a short stint on the A666. This then leads into the descent through Egerton and Belmont.

For full information see https://www.ironman.com/im-uk

Blackburn with Darwen Council Leader, Mohammed Khan, said:

IRONMAN UK is a great event and is a real boost for the area as it attracts spectators from all over the world but it was inevitable in our current situation that there would have to be a postponement and we fully support this for the safety and health spectators and of those taking part. I look forward to seeing the event return next year.”

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said:

Events all around the world are being affected by the coronavirus and we fully support IRONMAN’s decision.

In the current situation it is absolutely the right thing to do – public safety has to be the priority.

We understand that people will be disappointed. The IRONMAN weekend is one of the biggest sporting events in our region, and along with the Food and Drink Festival it’s one of the best weekends in the year for our town.

Athletes train so hard for the triathlon, the children love IRONKIDS and the Night Run was so popular last year.

To everyone who was going to take part this year – we hope to see you next year and we promise we will work with IRONMAN to make next year’s events the best yet.

We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”