Published Monday 28 June 2021 at 11:03
Measures are being put in place to ensure next month’s IRONMAN UK event is COVID-secure and safe for everyone to enjoy.
The triathlon, which usually attracts athletes from around the world, will take place in Bolton and the surrounding area, taking in Darwen, on Sunday, July 4.
As part of the IRONMAN weekend, the popular NightRun event will also take place on the evening of Friday, July 2.
Organisers are encouraging any spectators to take a COVID test and these will be available free on the event days in Victoria Square and Queens Park, Bolton.
Everyone attending is encouraged to maintain Covid safety measures, including washing hands regularly and keeping a suitable distance from others.
Council staff will be working as COVID Officers and will be on hand to remind people of these safety precautions, as well as handing out face coverings and signposting people to the nearest hand sanitising units.
In order to help with social distancing along the IRONMAN route, the cycle lane Orca Wands along Chorley New Road will be removed ahead of the event.
As well as creating more space for social distancing, removing them will help improve safety for the IRONMAN competitors during both the running and cycling phases of the event.
During IRONMAN weekend, the retail and hospitality sector will continue to follow national COVID guidance and observe restrictions on capacity and social distancing.
To stop the spread of infection, spectators are advised to take a test prior to attending the event, even if they do not have symptoms.
Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests can give you a result within 30 minutes.
Pop-up LFD test collection points will be made available near to the race route ahead of the event.
The leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Cllr Mohammed Khan, said:
We are especially pleased that we have been able to work with Bolton Council and Ironman to make sure the event is able to happen this year.
We urge spectators to get tested ahead of the event and ask anyone attending to continue to follow national guidelines on social distancing.
Bolton Council’s Leader, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said:
As a Town we have worked hard over recent weeks to reduce our COVID infection rates and we want to keep up this good work as we gradually open up and welcome events back to the borough.
COVID safety measures will be in place to ensure the event can be enjoyed safely by everyone.
Ironman UK Race Director, Sam Brawn said:
We are committed to conducting races in a way that reduces risk for athletes, volunteers, and host communities and will continue to utilize our Safe Return to Racing event guidelines, a series of comprehensive operating principles prepared in accordance with industry standards for open air mass participation sporting events.
Our teams have been building race plans with the very best in the industry and will implement the recommendations set out by the government as they relate to the impacts of COVID-19.