Ironman United Kingdom

Location	Bolton, England
Race website	Website link
Time of year held	July
Approx Athlete Numbers	2200
Does it typically sell out?	Yes
One word description for the event	Tough; fantastic; hard
Good for first iron distance race?	Only if up for a challenge

Tips for overseas athletes getting to the venue:

Fly to Manchester then easy train or drive to venue.
You'll need your transport. T1, T2 and the finish are all in different locations.

One word description for the swim	Straightforward; windy; flat
Single or multi-lap course?	2 laps, exit water between laps.
Typically wetsuit-legal?	Yes
Swim course description	Lake, rolling start

Swim tips

One word description for the bike	Technical; rolling; hilly
GPS map link for the bike course	Map link; Video link
Video link for the bike course
Single or multi-lap course?	2 laps

Bike Course description

Bit of everything – rolling hills, fast open road, country lanes - and poor UK road surfaces!
Its hilly but you're still comfortable on a TT bike, the crowds are amazing.

Bike Course tips

It's a slow course, so don't go too hard on lap 1.
Keep pace flowing through corners - driving course helps.
Check out the hills - there are more than the two that get talked about.
Train on the hills be prepared for a cold start to the bike. Sheep House lane is the hard climb.
At the aid stations get ready - the point you discard your bottle and collect a new one are very close together. If you need two bottles be prepaid to stop.

One word description for the run	Drag; hill; hilly
GPS map link for the run course	Map link
Video link for the run course
Single or multi-lap course?	3 laps

Run course description

Point-point into town then 3.5 laps with loads of spectators - and not flat!
Easy point to point then 3 hilly laps.
You have a 6 mile run to the start of the 3 lap course which has a 1.5 mile hill you run up 3 times.
The town centre is packed with supporters with one of the aid stations just before you run into the centre and out again.

Run course tips

Push a bit harder on long drag out of town and then recover a bit on the downhill drag back into town centre
Hold back at the start - you'll need it for the hill!
Train on running up hill and down hill.

Tips for supporters get the most out of watching the event?

Be organised with logistics and plan - use the shuttle buses as well.
Make the most of the multi lap run!
The swim has a Australian exit so you get to see the swimmers get out on lap 1.
Bike route is closed roads so getting about will need to be planned ahead.
Run course is 3 laps and the town centre is the best place to see your friends and family that are competing.

Great places to eat:

Not Bolton town centre - near race HQ/T2 at stadium is better.
Lots of restaurants in the Middlebrook retail park next to T2 at the football stadium

Best bike or tri shop in town:

Best pick for accommodation:

Best things for the kids to do:

Cool things to do after the race:

Any warnings that people should know about before entering:

It’s a slow race.
T1, T2 and the finish are in 3 different locations. Once you’ve finished you have to collect your bike which is 7 miles away.

General tips:

Best thing about this race:

Anything negative about this race:

Logistics are challenging - prepare a plan in advance.
Walk from the bus drop off to the swim start - walking over a pitch black golf course at 4 in the morning!

RACE REPORTS AND OTHER VIDEO LINKS SUPPLIED

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Thank you to the following people who have contributed content to this page: Dan Cole; Matt Charlton; Mark Jeszke