Almost 10,000 people are set to take part in this year’s Ironman events in less than a month’s time in Bolton.

The town will be hosting a weekend of sporting festivities beginning on Friday June 28 when as many as 1,200 athletes will race through the town centre with Night Run Bolton UK.

This will be followed by Ironkids, a race involving 6,000 children and young people making it the biggest event of its kind in the world, and then the main event, Ironman 70.3.

Ironman 70.3 Bolton race director Lewis Peacock said: “We can’t wait to be back in Bolton for what promises to be an incredible weekend of racing!

“It’s not long to go until athletes are on the start line at Pennington Flash, ready to begin their race journey to the finish line in central Bolton.”

The Bolton News: The events will be taking place in Bolton and the surrounding areasThe events will be taking place in Bolton and the surrounding areas (Image: Phil Taylor)

He added: “Bolton will be out in full force to support as they always are, it’s set to be a true spectacle!”

The Ironman 70.3 event will get under way when athletes line up at Pennington Flash before taking on the one-loop 1.2-mile swim course.

Next will come the 56-mile bike course which takes in towns around Wigan including Lowton, Abram and Bickershaw before heading north towards Bolton.

The event will be rounded off with a two-loop 13.1-mile run course around Bolton town centre before hitting the finish line in front of the town hall.

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Bolton Council chief executive Sue Johnson said: “With Night Run UK Bolton already sold out and Ironkids and Ironman 70.3 Bolton also expected to fill up, we’re looking forward to a bumper weekend of sport

“What’s especially good to see is not just the number of people taking part over the weekend – about 10,000, but also the variety of participants.

“People of every age and ability from right across Bolton will be joining in, some doing their very first 5k run while others take on the triathlon and over 70 miles of swimming, biking and running.

“The action and colour of Ironman Ironman always brings the town to life, and I encourage people to cheer on the athletes, whether it’s along the route or in the town centre.”