Concerns over ‘missing’ race times after Bolton Ironman

At the race, the display screen which was meant to show runners’ names and timings as they crossed the finish line was reportedly not functioning during the event, which took place in the evening on Friday, June 28.

However, there was some confusion as some runners’ times did not appear on the official race time website, leading to complaints in the comments on Bolton Council’s Facebook page.

At least seven runners complained that they hadn’t received their results on Facebook. Commenter Lynn Broadhurst said: “It was my son's first 10k and he was so pleased with himself and now so disappointed.

“Mine is showing. I've emailed so hopefully it'll be sorted for everyone soon as there seems to be others missing too.”

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Another source of confusion was positions. In the 10km race, a jubilant Jonathan Kearsley fell to the floor after being the first to run through the tape, telling The Bolton News that it felt ‘fantastic’ to win.

However, Jonathan is now listed as second on the official results website.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Jonathan said he had been told the race used a triathlon system of chip timing, meaning those who set off later – such as by being further back in the crowd – do not begin being timed until they cross the start line.

However, the system displays that he and the recorded winner, Jim van Ruth, as coming in at the exact same time, 34 minutes and 35 seconds, as Jonathan, but in first place – with Jonathan relegated to second.

Jonathan said: “When I’ve raised it with them, they’ve said ‘oh, well his chip time was faster than yours so that’s why you’re in second’.

“I’ve said ‘but we’ve both got the same time, so can you tell me how that’s faster?’ and they didn’t get back to me about that one.

“When I’ve seen all the complaints that they’ve had this weekend, I was like, do you know what – I’m not bothered about it, because I can guarantee there’s that many issues.”

Jonathan Kearsley crossed the finish line at Night Run on Friday – but now the system says he wasn't in first place (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Jonathan added that many runners were told their number was unavailable on the day of the race, leading to extra confusion.

He added: “It is quite a bad showing if you’ve got so many people complaining.

“It went from: I was buzzing about it, to I was fuming, to: do you know what it doesn’t matter, life goes on.”

Not everyone was affected – however, with many runners receiving their times.

Deputy headteacher of Bolton St Catherine’s Academy Chris Hill, who was wearing a squid outfit throughout the 5km race, received his time: 29 minutes and three seconds. Something he was happy with, as he was aiming to come in below half-an-hour.

However, he was beaten by one of the children he was running with, Henar, who came in at 26 minutes and 54 seconds, and Zak, who came in at 29 minutes and two seconds.

Chris said: “I’m really, really proud of him for it, but I’m also seething because I wanted to beat him.”

Chris Hill ran with children from his school (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

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The event was timed using a website system supplied by MYLAPS.

A MYLAPS spokesperson said: “If the event was timed using MYLAPS equipment, the timer at the event is responsible for uploading the event results, to make them available for racers and spectators.”

When contacted, Bolton Council advised that anyone whose times or details are missing should email bolton70.3@ironman.com.

Ironman refused a request for comment.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.