Ironman Bolton 2023: Locals take podium positions

The sports event, one of the biggest on the calendar for the town, drew to a close today (July 2) as racers swam, cycled and ran the gruelling competition.

Spectators from near and far lined the streets as the athletes made their way through the town centre marathon course.

The route started and finished in Le Mans Crescent, twisting through the town centre, Queen's Park and down Chorley New Road almost to its junction with Victoria Road, before returning back up the long stretch to the crescent.

Ironman Bolton champion Tom Rigby (Image: Phil Taylor)

Competitors completed four laps of this course.

Tom Rigby of Chorley came first in the men's race, recording a time of 9:38:49. It was his sixth Ironman.

Speaking in Victoria Square after his victory, he said: "It is just a dream come true really.

"I managed to get to the marathon in first place and hold onto it."

Speaking to The Bolton News, he added: "It's my fourth time in Bolton.

"I've won my age category before but I've never won it overall.

"It's good to actually do it in your home race.

On if it felt good to win it so close to home, he said: "One hundred per cent. All my family and friends are here."

Support in Victoria Square for the Ironman Bolton athletes (Image: Danny Crompton)

Dan Elliot came second in the men's race, recording a time of 9:44:09.

Dan, who is from Shrewsbury, said: "It feels amazing. I always said if I got on the podium I would be happy, so I can't have any complaints at all.

"Everyone comes to win, but the better man on the day won. I couldn't have given it more than I did.

"It's a lot of hard work and dedication. I couldn't do it without the support I get from everyone, members of my family.

@erica_booth Triathlon Female winner 2023 in Bolton @IRONMANtri Congratulations from @TheBoltonNews #triathlon #athlete #Manchester pic.twitter.com/mtHD7i84Ga

— DannyCrompton (@DannyCrompton1) July 2, 2023

"I did it last year and came fifth, I'll definitely be back, it's an amazing race."

Daniel Mcparland of Darwen came third, with a time of 9:39:34.

He said: "I'm really chuffed, it's really good "I just couldn't get there, I couldn't get across. I got within 30 seconds at one point. 

"I'm from near Darwen, so I'm really local, it's my home race."

Cyclists working hard (Image: Henry Lisowski)

Coming first for the ladies was Erica Booth from Chorley, who completed the event in 11:07:07. 

Speaking after the race, she said: "I'm sore but I feel amazing. It was tough out there, it was really windy, super windy. 

"I am really pleased." 

Erica ran the race in memory of two people, her mother, and Tri Rivingtonian head coach Ray McGloin. 

She said: "My mother was diagnosed with cancer three months ago, that's why I chose Bolton because we weren't sure what would happen. 

"We buried her last week." 

She added that the race felt particularly special. 

Female winner Erica Booth (Image: Phil Taylor)

She added: "Ray McGloin was a Tri Rivingtonian coach when I first started out." 

In honour of him, she competed while wearing her first ever race belt, which she wore when she met Ray.

Second place for the ladies was Helen O'Neile from Dorset, who finished in a time of 11:29:07. 

She said: "I'm very surprised, I just wanted to finish today as I haven't been back training. 

"It was just so windy, the bike was the most brutal bike I've every done in my life." 

This was Helen's first time in Bolton, having competed in one Ironman before in Copenhagen. 

Here is the moment Tom Rigby won @Ironman_UK Bolton! He finished with a time of 9:38:49. @TheBoltonNews pic.twitter.com/EkdDqigdWK

— Zach Harrison (@zachhjourno) July 2, 2023

She added: "The crowds were amazing. The guy who was with me on the bike, I want to say thank you to him, he was lovely."

Lara Franklin from Suffolk came third in the women's, with a time of 11:37:21. 

She said: "It feels pretty, pretty amazing. It was my first time here, I've done two Ironmans before this. 

"This course was like no course I've every done before, it was so tough but amazing. 

"It's unbelievable. I've got my husband, my parents and my coaches here.

Erica Booth (Image: Phil Taylor)

"The crowd were brilliant."

Athletes completed the marathon following an early morning swim and a 120-mile cycle across the borough.

They journeyed through Leigh, Atherton and Horwich onto Bolton, through Bury, Ramsbottom, Smithills, Belmont and back into the town centre.

Sue Morley was there to support her husband, Darren.

She said: “He loves his triathlons but this one is monstrous. Over 140 miles of swimming, riding and a marathon run."